OKC Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell shows off eye-popping playmaking in NBA Summer League

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OKC Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell shows off eye-popping playmaking in NBA Summer League

Joel Lorenzi, The Oklahoman · The Oklahoman

Wed, Jul 10, 2024 ·

2 min read

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SALT LAKE CITY — From the sideline, Kameron Woods ' demeanor was stoic and observant, fitting traits of a Mark Daigneault discipline. But internally, he easily could've been possessed by the mask that got hold of Jim Carrey, his eyes likely leaping from his face in cartoon fashion.

Woods was watching his point guard of the future make the position look way too easy Tuesday night in the Thunder's 98-75 win over the Jazz in Game 2 of Salt Lake City Summer League .

He had a good idea of what he was inheriting in Ajay Mitchell . A guard that shot well enough from the perimeter to play without the ball, but had thrived with change of pace and decision making as a point guard.

But in Summer League, Mitchell has made things looks even easier.

On Tuesday, en route to a 11-point, 10-assist double-double, he was a walking paint touch. He shifted his hips like a salsa dancer. His layups were almost all uncontested, the likely product of being stunned by the way he gets to the rim.

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And his 10 assists hardly tell the full story; If dump-down passes were tallied the way screen assists are, Mitchell might've set a Summer League record.

As often as he liked, Mitchell got to the block — either stopped in his tracks or left with a decision — and found big after big, roller after roller. Anyone lurking near the baseline made a fortune from his hands.

"He has a poise to him already," said Woods, the Thunder's G League head coach. "A comfort level to the game in terms of picking his spots, knowing where he's comfortable at."

"He's very eager to learn, quick learner, and he wants the answers to the test."

Mitchell appeared to already have them on Tuesday.

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