BROOKLYN, N.Y. – UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball's Ajay Mitchell has become the 14th Gaucho drafted in school history. During the second day of the 2024 NBA Draft, Mitchell's name was called as the No. 38 pick by the New York Knicks with a proposed trade that will land Mitchell with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
 
"Ajay has truly honored the process every single day on and off the court since he arrived at UC Santa Barbara," said Head Coach Joe Pasternack. "He has developed his body and athleticism in the weight room and has become an incredible player on the court. We are all so excited to follow his NBA career!"
 
Mitchell's career with UC Santa Barbara is one for the record books. During the most recent season with the Gauchos, Mitchell averaged 20.0 points and 4.0 assists per game while shooting at 50.4 percent from the field. He tied the school record for most points scored in a game with 39 at UC Riverside. As if that wasn't enough, he is also tied for fifth in the record books for the most free throws made in a game with 14 against New Mexico. He also recorded his 1,000th career point in The Thunderdome against Bethesda.
 
Over the course of his career, Mitchell tallied 1,463 points, putting him in the Top 10 in UC Santa Barbara history, while shooting at 51.1 percent from the field. He also contributed 395 assists, the fifth-most in Gaucho record books. His 16.1 points per game average across three seasons is also good enough to finish in fourth in the record books. Here is a full list of Mitchell's accolades from his three seasons with the Gauchos:

• 2023-24 NABC All-District 9 First Team
• Two-time All-Big West First Team selection
• Two-time Big West All-Academic Team honoree
• 2022-23 Big West Player of the Year
• 2022-23 Big West Championship MVP
• 2022-23 Lou Henson All-American
• 2022-23 Santa Barbara Beach Classic MVP
• 2021-22 Big West Freshman of the Year
• 2021-22 All-Big West Second Team selection
• Two-time Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Men's Basketball Player of the Year

As mentioned above, Mitchell is the 14th Gaucho to be drafted to the NBA. He will be the first player in the Pasternack era to be drafted. The most recent Gaucho to hear their name called was Orlando Johnson, who was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2012 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers.