NBA Draft Scouting Report: France's Melvin Ajinca

Scouting Report: Melvin Ajinca

Contents

1. Prospect Profile
2. Highlights
3. Draft Projection
4. 2024 Big Board

Melvin Ajinca

Wing | France

Height: 6'8” | Weight: 20 lbs

2024 Draft Age: 19.98

FIBA.com

Prospect Profile

An energetic lefty wing with good size, Ajinca has a translatable NBA skillset. His frame is ready for play at that level and he only continues to get stronger which expands his game.

Ajinca isn’t necessarily elite at anything specific, but can do nearly everything well. This will allow him to plug into a variety of lineups and impact the game in many different ways. He has the upside to be much more than a role player at NBA level, but feels like the perfect complementary piece regardless.

The perimeter shot is the one thing that should differentiate Ajinca from other wings in his class, as he’s emerged as a very reliable 3-point shooter. He’s more than just a catch-and-shoot or rhythm guy, too. Ajinca has a reliable step-back and can knock contested triples down on the move.

Overall, he’s such a smooth player that has poise and patience that allows Ajinca to let the game come to him. When he has the ball in his hands, the 6-foot-8 wing has a shifty crossover and knows how to use his strength to penetrate the lane. He doesn’t shy away from contact and plays with physicality.

The French prospect is also a good rebounder for his position and has the potential to be a very versatile defender. He can already guard upwards of three positions depending on the matchup, but as Ajinca gets stronger with time he could more effectively guard true frontcourt players. He also has the speed and length to take on perimeter players on that end.

Ajinca really took a step forward at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in the summer of 2023. With a good season leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the French wing to be a late riser on draft boards. 

Highlights

Draft Projection

Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.

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2024 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2024 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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