Melvin Ajinça

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

Melvin Ajinça
Ajinça with Saint-Quentin in 2023
Dallas Mavericks
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004
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
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  France
FIBA U19 World Cup
2023 HungaryTeam

Professional career

Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (2022-2024)

Ajinça signed with Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the LNB Pro B on 30 June 2022.[1] He averaged 8.4 points per game and was voted the best young player in Pro B as Saint-Quentin earned a promotion to the first-tier LNB Pro A in his first season with the team.[2]

Dallas Mavericks (2024-present)

Ajinça was drafted #51 by the New York Knicks, and was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks for pick 58.[3]

National team career

Ajinça was named to the France under-19 basketball team to play in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.[4] 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 made the final before losing to Spain.[5]

Personal life

Ajinça is a cousin of former NBA player Alexis Ajinça.[6][7]

References
  1. "Avec Melvin Ajinça, un jeune joueur à fort potentiel signe au SQBB". L'Aisne Nouvelle (in French). 30 June 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. "Pro B : Melvin Ajinça élu meilleur jeune de la saison". BasketEurope.com (in French). 12 May 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. "Who did the Mavericks draft? Get to know Melvin Ajinca". NBA.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  4. "NBA Draft Scouting Report: France's Melvin Ajinca". SI.com. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  5. "U19 World Cup 2023 All-Second Team, Best coach and Best Defensive Player Awards". FIBA.basketball. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  6. "Melvin Ajinça : "Faire mieux que mon cousin"". Le Quotidien du Sport (in French). 26 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. Gizolme, Antonin (24 June 2023). "La France U19 entame parfaitement son mondial" (in French). Reuters. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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