When asked about his future and objectives as a basketball player in 2019, Ajay Mitchell replied “I want to go as far as I can. To become a pro and make my family proud.” Five years later, he made that dream a reality by getting selected as the 38 overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder. As his name was called during the second round of the 2024 draft, cheers erupted from his loved ones. Many had gathered to support him and watched the event live on television. Therefore, Mitchell seems to have locked down the ‘proud’ factor.

Ajay Mitchell’s parents, especially his father, played a big role in influencing the 22-year-old to reach this point. However, the NBA rookie decided to share specific information about them. He did not draw too much focus on the family heritage. Therefore, with the player establishing his presence within OKC and the league, there is no better time to talk about his origins.

What is Ajay Mitchell’s background?

Ajay Mitchell hails from Ans, Belgium, and proudly holds Belgian-American nationality. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the player’s ethnic background. His mother, Fabienne Wagemans, is a Belgian, while his father, Barry Mitchell, boasts dual citizenship in Belgium and America. Unlike his wife, Mitchell’s hometown lies in Virginia Beach, Virginia, making him a natural-born US citizen.

We have limited information about the mother of the OKC player, whereas his father is rightly exceptional. After all, Barry Mitchell was a renowned basketball player in his own right. He carved out a professional career from 1987 to 2003, and then again for a brief period of 2013-14. Making a name for himself at the First Colonial High School, Barry enrolled in Norfolk State. The player averaged 13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. In addition, he had averaged 2 steals throughout 119 games in four years.

After not being selected in the 1987 NBA draft, Barry joined the Wyoming Wildcatters of the Continental Basketball Association. Seven years later, fate would take him to join Sunair Oostende and shift to Belgium, where he would meet his future wife.

Ajay improves every season!

Growing up, Ajay Mitchell decided to follow the same path as his father. He possibly developed the mindset to do what his father couldn’t. Before carving out his college career at UC Santa Barbara, he became the 14th Gaucho drafted to the NBA. Likewise, he represented Belgium’s Limburg United youth team for two years. By averaging 4 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists during the 2019-20 season to 7.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the 2020-21 one, his efficiency rating increased by double within a season.

In his three seasons representing the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men’s basketball team, he played 91 games. By averaging a memorable 16.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, Ajay Mitchell rose to fame. The player had 5.5-10.8 (51.1%) with his field goals and 0.8-2.3 (33.2%) with his three-pointers. He even had 4.2-5.2 (81.8%) with his free throws. His performance kept improving every year, with Ajay even winning the Big West Player of the Year title during his sophomore season.

With an impressive resume, it would have been hard for even one NBA franchise to sidetrack the player. Lo-and-behold, the OKC swooped in, allowing Ajay to do the thing that his father couldn’t. However, he knows he wouldn’t have reached this stage if it wasn’t for his parent.

Ajay Mitchell calls his father Barry his biggest influence: “Loved basketball in Belgium”

Even before his name popped up on the NBA draft, Mitchell’s college resume allowed him to be interviewed by several news outlets. An exclusive by the Santa Barbara Independent revealed his journey to this point, including the role played by his father in his basketball career. Barry’s affinity for sports didn’t stop upon becoming a parent. As a result, even Ajay’s two half-sisters, Alexis and Ashley, went on to play college volleyball at the University of Wisconsin and Northwest Missouri State University, respectively. Through basketball, a bond was created between father and son, which the latter continued to cherish.

“My dad was definitely the biggest influence on me being a basketball player. I think just being a little kid and going to see his games while he was playing pro in Belgium and then just being around basketball my whole life,” said Ajay. “One of my best friends, still to this day, we loved basketball together in Belgium, and we were dreaming about being college basketball players.”

Ajay Mitchell has already made waves during his debut pre-season game by dropping 19 points. As a result, the eyes of Oklahoma fans will be on him to see where the player’s chosen path will take him next.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.