Melvin Ajinça

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Melvin Ajinça
Ajinça with Saint-Quentin in 2023
Dallas Mavericks
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 20)
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2024: 2nd round, 51st overall pick
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2022Centre Fédéral
2022–2024Saint-Quentin
2024–presentDallas Mavericks
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  France
FIBA U19 World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2023 Hungary Team

Melvin Pierre Ajinça (born 26 June 2004) is a French professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the LNB Pro A.

Professional career

Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball (2019–2022)

Born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, Ajinça started his playing career with Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball of the Nationale Masculine 1 in 2019.[1]

Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (2022–2024)

Ajinça signed with Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the LNB Pro B on 30 June 2022.[2] During the 2022–23 season, he averaged 8.4 points per game and was voted the best young player in the league, as Saint-Quentin earned a promotion to the LNB Pro A.[1][3]

During the 2023–24 season, he averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists across 24.5 minutes per game.[1][4]

Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)

On 2 May 2024, the NBA confirmed that Ajinça was one of the international players who had declared for the 2024 NBA draft.[5]

On 27 June, Ajinça was selected with the 51st overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA draft,[4][6][7] but was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for draft rights to the 58th pick.[4][6] He was one of five French players selected during the entire draft, following Zaccharie Risacher (the first overall pick), Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaün and Pacôme Dadiet.[7]

National team career

Ajinça was named to the France under-19 basketball team to play in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.[1][8] He was named to the second team All-Tournament Team, after averaging 19.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, as France eventually reached the final before losing to Spain.[1][9]

Personal life

Ajinça is a cousin of basketball coach and former NBA player Alexis Ajinça.[4][10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Vesely, Sophia (27 June 2024). "5 things to know about Mavs' draft pick Melvin Ajinca, including his World Cup highlights". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Avec Melvin Ajinça, un jeune joueur à fort potentiel signe au SQBB". L'Aisne Nouvelle (in French). 30 June 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Pro B : Melvin Ajinça élu meilleur jeune de la saison". BasketEurope.com (in French). 12 May 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Who did the Mavericks draft? Get to know Melvin Ajinca". NBA. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  5. ^ "NBA announces early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2024". NBA. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b Afseth, Grant (27 June 2024). "Mavericks Trade for 51st Pick from Knicks to Acquire Melvin Ajinca in NBA Draft". Dallas Basketball. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Draft : Melvin Ajinca choisi par New York puis envoyé à Dallas en NBA". L'Équipe (in French). 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ "NBA Draft Scouting Report: France's Melvin Ajinca". SI.com. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  9. ^ "U19 World Cup 2023 All-Second Team, Best coach and Best Defensive Player Awards". FIBA.basketball. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Melvin Ajinça : "Faire mieux que mon cousin"". Le Quotidien du Sport (in French). 26 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  11. ^ Gizolme, Antonin (24 June 2023). "La France U19 entame parfaitement son mondial" (in French). Reuters. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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