Courtside at the Coral: Ajay Mitchell Returns to Help the Gauchos Make Their Next Move

The Coral Casino has seen its share of heavy hitters over the years, though they usually arrive with a tennis racket, a cocktail, or a particularly impressive portfolio. Recently, however, the seaside social club played host to a different kind of star power as UCSB men’s basketball coach Joe Pasternack gathered some of the area’s biggest names to celebrate one of the Gauchos’ brightest exports. Ajay Mitchell, the former UCSB standout turned Oklahoma City Thunder sensation, was back in town, and this time he was bringing a little NBA magic home to Santa Barbara.

The occasion was Mitchell’s appointment as general manager of the UCSB men’s basketball program, a homecoming that brought together an impressive roster of Montecito residents, UCSB alumni, and basketball enthusiasts. Hosted by Montecito resident and UCSB alumnus Mike Stewart, the gathering included Bob Duggan, CEO of Summit Therapeutics; Jeff Henley, vice chairman of Oracle; Marc Stad, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves; entertainment executive Rick Rosen; and Nick Swimmer, among others.

For Pasternack, it was a remarkable collection of talent and influence, all united by their enthusiasm for a young man who had taken the Gauchos to the national stage.

Mitchell’s journey is particularly impressive given the current landscape of college basketball. With the transfer portal offering players opportunities to bounce between programs, talented athletes at mid-major schools often depart for larger universities with deeper pockets and greater exposure. Mitchell took another route.

The Belgian-born guard spent three seasons at UCSB, earning Big West Player of the Year honors and helping lead the Gauchos to the NCAA Tournament in 2023. Rather than transfer to a higher-profile program, he stayed in Santa Barbara, developed his game, and eventually earned a second-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. Now playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Mitchell has become a rising talent in the league.

“He stayed loyal and stayed three years and proved you can be an NBA star going to UC Santa Barbara,” Pasternack says.

That loyalty has become a valuable recruiting tool for the Gauchos. As general manager, Mitchell will serve in an advisory and mentorship capacity, helping recruit prospective players, retain current talent, and strengthen relationships with alumni and supporters.

According to Pasternack, Mitchell has already helped convince several players to remain at UCSB rather than pursue opportunities elsewhere.

“He was able to explain the grass is not always greener, and that’s a great life lesson,” Pasternack says. “Telling them, ‘Stay loyal like I did and look what happened to me.’”

It’s a compelling pitch coming from someone whose career has followed that very trajectory. Mitchell can speak to the challenges of college basketball, the demands of professional competition, and the advantages of developing within a program that believes in its players.

His connection to Santa Barbara also extends beyond the court. Despite an NBA career that could take him practically anywhere, Mitchell has chosen Montecito as his offseason home.

“He wants to make Santa Barbara his home,” Pasternack says.

For the coach, that relationship is another example of how UCSB basketball can connect the university with the surrounding community. And with the 2026-27 season underway, Pasternack is hoping to turn that hometown enthusiasm into a packed Thunderdome.

The Gauchos opened their season November 2 with an 85-55 victory over San Francisco State and return to the court Saturday, November 7, at 1 pm against Oakland University. The roster combines returning players with promising newcomers, giving Pasternack plenty of reasons for optimism as he enters his 10th season leading the program.

“We’re really excited. We’ve never had this type of demand for season tickets, ever,” he says. “It’s getting close to capacity. We still have some season tickets left.”

Part of that excitement comes from the players themselves, whom Pasternack praises for their character, academic commitment, and potential to compete at the professional level.

He is also making a concerted effort to introduce Gaucho basketball to Montecito’s younger residents. Recently, the team visited the Montecito Club for a basketball clinic organized with Assistant GM Justin Allen from the club. UCSB players worked individually with local children on the outdoor court, demonstrating drills and sharing a few tricks of the trade.

The idea is to build a connection that extends beyond game day, introducing children to collegiate athletics while giving them an opportunity to interact with the players.

And for Montecito families looking for an afternoon of entertainment, Pasternack has a fairly persuasive argument. Why make the drive to Los Angeles to watch the Lakers or Clippers when high-level basketball is being played just up the road?

“We don’t have an NBA team, an NFL team, or a Major League Baseball team in Santa Barbara,” he says. “Make this your team.”

It’s a pitch that combines hometown pride, affordable entertainment, and the opportunity to expose younger fans to a major university campus. For Pasternack, the excitement of college basketball comes from the players’ passion and the energy of a crowd that has a personal stake in the outcome.

And with Mitchell’s continued involvement, the Gauchos have a particularly persuasive ambassador for what the program can accomplish.

The Coral Casino gathering may have assembled some of Montecito’s most influential fans, but the next big event on Pasternack’s calendar requires considerably less formal attire. Just find a seat in the Thunderdome, wear some blue and gold, and prepare to cheer.  

For season tickets and the full schedule, visit ucsbgauchos.com