Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is gaining attention for more than his recent playoff performance.
Mitchell, now in his second NBA season, had a standout game this week during the Thunder’s playoff run against the Los Angeles Lakers. He also recently opened up about the faith that has shaped his perspective on life and the kind of impact he hopes to have beyond basketball.
“I think the impact I would like to have is just to be able to share God’s word,” Mitchell said. “Understanding that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins really changed my perspective on life. It helped me to seek forgiveness from God and also forgive others. In everyday life, [faith] just reminds me to love others and help whenever I can.”
Mitchell has spoken publicly about his faith before. He previously said prayer became a grounding part of his life during college at UC Santa Barbara, where he developed into one of the country’s top mid-major guards before being drafted by Oklahoma City in 2024.
“Praying and talking to God helps me remind myself of what I’m grateful for and to enjoy the moment and not worry,” Mitchell said.
The Belgium-born guard has also said his faith became more personal in college after teammates and mentors helped connect him to a church community.
“At first, I didn’t really feel like going,” Mitchell said. “During my sophomore year, I felt like I needed to hear the word of God. It honestly changed how I viewed myself [and] others.”
Mitchell’s comments come as the Thunder continue their playoff run with one of the NBA’s most talked-about young rosters. While much of the national attention has centered on Oklahoma City’s stars, Mitchell has quietly carved out a role as a reliable contributor — and one of the team’s more outspoken Christians.
