French basketball player (born 1988)
Alexis Ajinça (; born 6 May 1988) is a former French professional basketball player who is currently an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played seven seasons in the league for the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans.
Early life.
Ajinça was a promising BMX rider during his childhood and routinely won racing competitions for his age group in France. He started playing basketball at age of 12 because he thought that it would help him improve his bike jumps. Ajinça gave up BMX riding when he blossomed in basketball.
Professional career.
Early years (2006–2008).
After attending France's INSEP, Ajinça played for Pau-Orthez during the 2006–07 season. He joined Hyères-Toulon for the 2007–08 season and averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2010).
Ajinça was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats wanted to select a big man after selecting guard D. J. Augustin earlier in the draft and believed that Ajinça possessed the most potential of players available.
During his rookie season, he spent time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League. During his second season with Charlotte, he spent time with the Maine Red Claws.
Dallas Mavericks (2010–2011).
On July 13, 2010, Ajinça was traded, along with Tyson Chandler, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Erick Dampier, Eduardo Nájera, Matt Carroll.
Toronto Raptors (2011).
On January 24, 2011, Ajinça was traded, along with a future second-round draft pick and cash considerations, to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the draft rights to Georgios Printezis.
Return to France (2011–2013).
On November 2, 2011, Ajinça joined Paris-Levallois for a one-week tryout. He left the team on November 8 and joined Hyères-Toulon two days later. He appeared in just two games with Hyères-Toulon before parting ways with the team.
After failing to make a return to the NBA following the conclusion of the NBA lockout, Ajinça returned to France and signed with SIG Strasbourg on December 29, 2011. On August 13, 2012, he re-signed with Strasbourg for the 2012–13 season. On August 6, 2013, he re-signed with Strasbourg for the 2013–14 season. On December 18, 2013, he left Strasbourg to return to the NBA.
New Orleans Pelicans (2013–2018).
On December 20, 2013, Ajinça signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. On July 9, 2015, he re-signed with the Pelicans. On April 8, 2016, he recorded career highs with 28 points and 15 rebounds in a 110–102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
On December 7, 2017, after missing all of the 2017–18 season up to that point, Ajinça was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right patellar tendon, an injury that typically takes four to six months to recover.
On October 15, 2018, Ajinça was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Wesley Johnson. He was waived by the Clippers immediately upon being acquired.
ASVEL (2018–2019).
On December 28, 2018, Ajinça returned to France and signed with ASVEL Basket.
Coaching career.
On 13 October 2023, Ajinça was hired as an assistant coach by the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League.
On 10 July 2024, Ajinça became an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.
National team career.
In September 2013, Ajinça represented the French national team at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia. He averaged 9.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Personal life.
Ajinça and his wife Courtney have two sons, Carter and Caysen. His cousin, Melvin Ajinça, is a professional basketball player.
References.
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