Melvin Ajinça Explained

Melvin Ajinça
Position:	Small forward
Height Ft:	6
Height In:	8
Weight Lbs:	214
League:	LNB Élite EuroLeague
Team:	LDLC ASVEL
Birth Date:	26 June 2004
Birth Place:	Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France
Draft Year:	2024
Draft Round:	2
Draft Pick:	51
Draft Team:	Dallas Mavericks
Career Start:	2019
Years1:	2019–2022
Team1:	Centre Fédéral
Years2:	2022–2024
Team2:	Saint-Quentin
Years3:	2024–present
Team3:	LDLC ASVEL

Melvin Pierre Ajinça (born 26 June 2004) is a French professional basketball player for LDLC ASVEL of the LNB Élite and the EuroLeague.

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.^[3]

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

LDLC ASVEL (2024–present)

On 23 July 2024, Ajinça signed with LDLC ASVEL of the LNB Élite.^[4]

NBA rights

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,^{[6] [7]} but was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for draft rights to the 58th pick.^[8] 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.

National team career

Ajinça was named to the France under-19 basketball team to play in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.^[9] 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.^[10]

Personal life

Ajinça is a cousin of basketball coach and former NBA player Alexis Ajinça.^{[11] [12]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vesely . Sophia . 27 June 2024 . 5 things to know about Mavs’ draft pick Melvin Ajinca, including his World Cup highlights . 28 June 2024 . The Dallas Morning News.
2. Web site: Avec Melvin Ajinça, un jeune joueur à fort potentiel signe au SQBB. L'Aisne Nouvelle. 30 June 2022. 16 October 2023. French.
3. Web site: Pro B : Melvin Ajinça élu meilleur jeune de la saison. BasketEurope.com. 12 May 2023. 16 October 2023. French.
4. Web site: Melvin Ajinca renforce les ailes villeurbannaises !. LDLCASVEL.com. 23 July 2024. 23 July 2024. French.
5. Web site: NBA announces early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2024. NBA.com. 2 May 2024. 28 June 2024.
6. Web site: Grant. Afseth. Mavericks Trade for 51st Pick from Knicks to Acquire Melvin Ajinca in NBA Draft. SI.com. Sports Illustrated. 27 June 2024. 28 June 2024.
7. Web site: Draft : Melvin Ajinca choisi par New York puis envoyé à Dallas en NBA. L'Équipe. 28 June 2024. 28 June 2024. fr.
8. Web site: Who did the Mavericks draft? Get to know Melvin Ajinca. NBA.com. 28 June 2024. 28 June 2024.
9. Web site: NBA Draft Scouting Report: France's Melvin Ajinca. SI.com. 19 August 2023. 15 October 2023.
10. Web site: U19 World Cup 2023 All-Second Team, Best coach and Best Defensive Player Awards. FIBA.basketball. 3 July 2023. 15 October 2023.
11. Web site: Melvin Ajinça : "Faire mieux que mon cousin". Le Quotidien du Sport. 26 April 2022. 12 October 2023. French.
12. Web site: La France U19 entame parfaitement son mondial. Antonin. Gizolme. Reuters. 24 June 2023. 12 October 2023. French.