The Oklahoma City Thunder have built arguably the deepest rotation in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams are flanked by top-tier defenders and shooters, all of whom have proven capable of stepping up in a postseason setting.
For as remarkable as the Thunder's depth may be, there's one player who is quickly evolving in a way that proves Oklahoma City has more than meets the eye: Ajay Mitchell.
Mitchell, 23, took a colossal step forward between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. The former second-round pick more than doubled his scoring average and emerged as a shot-creating talent who could torment teams from within the arc.
According to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke about the characteristic that has driven Mitchell's success: Unflappable poise and fearlessness under pressure.
“Mentally, he’s never shaken,” reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s never afraid of the moment. Ajay could be having the worst day ever, and you would never know. He’s so solid.”
The Thunder already have remarkable star power, but Mitchell's skill set and mentality seem to imply a fourth star is developing just beyond the mainstream lens.
Ajay Mitchell has legitimate star potential as Thunder's ultimate weapon
Mitchell is coming off of a regular season in which he averaged 18.9 points and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes. That alone would offer reason for intrigue, but it's the manner in which he creates offense for himself that makes his star potential difficult to dispute.
Mitchell converted 1.5 three-point field goals per 36 minutes, meaning a vast majority of his points are scored by operating within the arc.
Mitchell ranked third on the Thunder at 11.3 drives per game, with only Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams ahead of him. He shot 53.9 percent from the field on said plays. Mitchell also ranked second on Oklahoma City in points per isolation possession at 1.05 and shot 47.2 percent on pull-up jumpers.
That's all translated to the postseason, with Mitchell even ranking just outside of the top 15 in points via drives during the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The past three games have revealed just how ready Mitchell is to not only produce in spurts, but assert himself in critical games. He posted 22 points and six assists to help close out the Phoenix Suns, 18 points and four assists in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, and 20 points and six assists in Game 2.
As Mitchell continues to prove that he can create his own offense against any caliber of opponent, it's becoming harder to deny that the Thunder have another star on the rise.
Add us as a preferred source on Google