Big West Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade ('13-23)

Big West Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 15, 2023

Mar 14, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA;Cal State Northridge Matadors forward Lamine Diane (35) lets out a yell after scoring past UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Amadou Sow (12) and guard Ar'Mond Davis (1) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the Big West conference tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

24 of 26

Big West Basketball UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Ajay Mitchell Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ajay Mitchell

A 6’4 point guard from Belgium, Mitchell arrived at UC Santa Barbara just two seasons ago and has already made a monumental impact with the Gauchos. He arrived right after the Gauchos made a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, but Mitchell has already helped write his own history, both in this program and in the Big West as a whole.

Mitchell’s freshman season was a great boost to the program, averaging 11.6 points and 3.7 assists in a decent 17-win season in Santa Barbara. Year two was far more impressive, with Mitchell putting up 16.3 points and 5.1 assists and becoming something of a star, even beyond the Big West. His career-high 30-point effort actually came as a freshman, but he had three straight 20-point games in leading the Gauchos to the Big West Tournament title just a few months ago.

Already turning heads, Mitchell was named Big West Rookie of the Year as a freshman but that was just the beginning. In a sophomore season where he led the conference in assists and 2-point field goals, he was named Big West Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, getting the Gauchos to another impressive postseason appearance. Mitchell already stands as one of the league’s best players in recent memory and he’ll be back next season for his junior year.