Knicks Draft, Trade Ajay Mitchell With 38th Pick

The New York Knicks drafted Ajay Mitchell from UC Santa Barbara before trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mar 17, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Ajay Mitchell (13) drives to the basket against Baylor Bears guard Dale Bonner (3) during the first half in the first round of the 2023 NCAA men s basketball tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports / Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports

With the 38th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks selected guard Ajay Mitchell out of UC Santa Barbara with the intent of trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks previously acquired the 38th pick in a 2020 deal with the Utah Jazz, one that sent cash considerations west for Ed Davis. With the Thunder trade, the Knicks acquired draft rights to No. 40 pick Oso Ighodaro, a Marquette alum and teammate of fellow second-choice Tyler Kolek (who came to the Knicks at No. 34).

New York has since traded Ighodaro's rights to Phoenix, getting the No. 56 pick (which became Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr.) and a future second-round choice in return.

Mar 17, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Ajay Mitchell (13) drives to the basket as Baylor Bears guard Adam Flagler (10) defends during the second half in the first round of the 2023 NCAA men s basketball tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

All that is to officially say that the Belgian-born Mitchell is on his way to Oklahoma City after three strong seasons with the Gauchos. Mitchell originally went pro for Limberg United in his native Belgium before earning consecutive First-Team Big West honors in consecutive seasons.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Mitchell's efforts led UCSB to a program-record 27 wins and its second NCAA Tournament berth in three years. Mitchell won the conference tournament's top individual honor as well as the Big West Player of the Year title previously earned by Knicks great Larry Johnson. This time around, Mitchell averaged 20 points a game en route to the aforementioned first team invite.

“To see a player’s dream come true is the best thing you can ask as a coach,” UCSB men's coach Joe Pasternack said, per John Zant of the Santa Barbara Independent. “It’s an incredible moment. Ajay has been such a loyal young man. For three years, he honored the process.”

Though he won't don his Knicks jersey, Mitchell was the first former Gaucho to get the call from the Knicks and the first to hear his name called at the draft since Orlando Johnson, a second-round choice of Sacramento's in 2012.

Make sure you bookmark All Knicks for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

• Brunson Offers Positive Injury Update
• Knicks Draft Pacome Dadiet 25th Overall
• Knicks Set to Re-Sign Anunoby
• How Bridges Trade Affects Draft