Alexis Ajinça

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Alexis Ajinça

| image = Alexis Ajinca Pelicans (cropped).jpg

| caption = Ajinça with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2014

| height_ft = 7

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 248

| league = NBA

| team = Washington Wizards

| position = Assistant coach

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|5|6|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Saint-Étienne, France

| high_school = INSEP (Paris, France)

| draft_year = 2008

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 20

| draft_team = Charlotte Bobcats

| career_position = Center

| career_number = 8, 21, 42

| career_start = 2006

| career_end = 2019

| coach_start = 2023

| years1 = 2006–2007

| team1 = Pau-Orthez

| years2 = 2007–2008

| team2 = Hyères-Toulon

| years3 = {{nbay|2008|start}}–{{nbay|2009|end}}

| team3 = Charlotte Bobcats

| years4 = 2009

| team4 = →Sioux Falls Skyforce

| years5 = 2009–2010

| team5 = →Maine Red Claws

| years6 = {{nbay|2010|full=y}}

| team6 = Dallas Mavericks

| years7 = {{nbay|2010|end}}

| team7 = Toronto Raptors

| years8 = 2011

| team8 = Hyères-Toulon

| years9 = 2011–2013

| team9 = SIG Strasbourg

| years10 = {{nbay|2013|start}}–{{nbay|2017|end}}

| team10 = New Orleans Pelicans

| years11 = 2018–2019

| team11 = ASVEL Basket

| cyears1 = 2023–2024

| cteam1 = Capital City Go-Go (assistant)

| cyears2 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present

| cteam2 = Washington Wizards (assistant)

| highlights =

All-French League First Team (2013)
LNB Pro A All-Star (2013)
All-French League Third Team (2012)
All-French League Defensive Team (2012)
2× All-French League Domestic Team (2012, 2013)
NBA D-League All-Star (2010)
French Cup winner (2007)
Albert Schweitzer Tournament Most Talented Player (2006)

| stat1label = Points

| stat1value = 1,553 (5.3 ppg)

| stat2label = Rebounds

| stat2value = 1,150 (3.9 rpg)

| stat3label = Blocks

| stat3value = 181 (.6 bpg)

| medaltemplates =

}}

Alexis Ajinça ({{IPA|fr|alɛksi aʒɛ̃sa}}; born 6 May 1988) is a French former 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.{{cite web |title=Bobcats impressed with Ajinca |url=https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/wilsontimes/bobcats-impressed-with-ajinca/ |website=The Wilson Times |access-date=30 November 2023 |date=10 July 2008}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Alexis-Ajinca-534/|title=Alexis Ajinca|work=draftexpress.com|access-date=December 7, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/draft_pick_080626.html|title=Bobcats Select Augustin, Ajinca and Weaver in 2008 NBA Draft|work=NBA.com|date=June 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630073156/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/draft_pick_080626.html|archive-date=June 30, 2008}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5377055|title=Mavs get Chandler from Bobcats|work=ESPN|date=14 July 2020|access-date=27 December 2022|last=Stein|first=Marc}}

=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/20110124/9929/raptors-acquire-ajinca-draft-pick-and-cash-considerations-dallas|title=Raptors Acquire Ajinca, Draft Pick And Cash Considerations From Dallas|work=NBA.com|date=January 24, 2011|access-date=January 24, 2011}}

=Return to France (2011–2013)=

On November 2, 2011, Ajinça joined Paris-Levallois for a one-week tryout.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/88838/paris-levallois-announced-the-arrival-for-a-1-week-tryout-of-ajinca.html|title=Paris-Levallois announced the arrival for a 1-week tryout of Ajinca|work=Sportando.com|date=November 2, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2017}} He left the team on November 8{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/88878/alexis-ajinca-leaves-paris-levallois.html|title=Alexis Ajinca leaves Paris-Levallois|work=Sportando.com|date=November 8, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2017}} and joined Hyères-Toulon two days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/88892/alexis-ajinca-returns-to-hyeres-toulon.html|title=Alexis Ajinca returns to Hyeres-Toulon|work=Sportando.com|date=November 10, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2017}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/89508/sig-strasbourg-to-sign-alexis-ajinca.html|title=SIG Strasbourg to sign Alexis Ajinca?|work=Sportando.com|date=December 26, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2017}} Ajinça returned to France and signed with SIG Strasbourg on December 29, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/89542/sig-strasbourg-signs-big-man-alexis-ajinca.html|title=SIG Strasbourg signs big man Alexis Ajinca|work=Sportando.com|date=December 29, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2017}} On August 13, 2012, he re-signed with Strasbourg for the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/94446/sig-strasbourg-keeps-alexis-ajinca.html|title=SIG Strasbourg keeps Alexis Ajinca|work=Sportando.com|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2017}} On August 6, 2013, he re-signed with Strasbourg for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/france/pro-a/104662/alexis-ajinca-re-signs-with-sig-strasbourg.html|title=Alexis Ajinca re-signs with SIG Strasbourg|work=Sportando.com|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=December 7, 2017}} On December 18, 2013, he left Strasbourg to return to the NBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba/109399/alexis-ajinca-leaves-sig-strasbourg-to-join-new-orleans-pelicans.html|title=Alexis Ajinca leaves SIG Strasbourg to join New Orleans Pelicans|work=Sportando.com|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=December 7, 2017}}

=New Orleans Pelicans (2013–2018)=

On December 20, 2013, Ajinça signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-center-alexis-ajinca/|title=PELICANS SIGN AJINCA|work=NBA.com|date=December 20, 2013|access-date=December 7, 2017}} On July 9, 2015, he re-signed with the Pelicans.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-re-sign-ajinca-asik-and-cunningham|title=Pelicans Re-Sign Ajinca, Asik and Cunningham|work=NBA.com|date=July 9, 2015|access-date=December 7, 2017}} On April 8, 2016, he recorded career highs with 28 points and 15 rebounds in a 110–102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160408/LALNOP/gameinfo.html|title=Pelicans beat Lakers, Kobe Bryant 110-102|work=NBA.com|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2017}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/alexis-ajinca-medical-update-12-7-17|title=Alexis Ajinca Medical Update|work=NBA.com|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017}}

On October 15, 2018, Ajinça was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Wesley Johnson.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/press-release-la-clippers-complete-trade-new-orleans|title=Press Release: L.A. Clippers Complete Trade With New Orleans|work=NBA.com|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=October 15, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|title=Alexis AJINÇA renforce LDLC ASVEL|url=https://ldlcasvel.com/alexis-ajinca-renforce-ldlc-asvel|language=FR|date=December 28, 2018|website=ldlcasvel.com|access-date=December 28, 2018}}

Coaching career

On 13 October 2023, Ajinça was hired as an assistant coach by the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League.{{cite web|title=Capital City Go-Go Announce 2023-24 Coaching Staff|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/capital-city-go-go-announce-2023-24-coaching-staff/n-6022461|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=13 October 2023|access-date=14 October 2023}}

On 10 July 2024, Ajinça became an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.{{cite web|title=Wizards Announce Coaching Staff Additions|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wizards-announce-coaching-staff-additions|website=NBA.com|date=10 July 2024|access-date=7 August 2024}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/playerID_47801.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2013.roundID_8739.teamID_282.html|title=Alexis Ajinca|work=fibaeurope.com|access-date=December 7, 2017}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

==Regular season==

| align="left" | {{nbay|2008}}

| align="left" | Charlotte

| 31 || 4 || 5.9 || .362 || .000 || .714 || 1.0 || .1 || .2 || .2 || 2.3

| align="left" | {{nbay|2009}}

| align="left" | Charlotte

| 6 || 0 || 5.0 || .500 || .000 || .000 || .7 || .0 || .2 || .2 || 1.7

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Dallas

| 10 || 2 || 7.5 || .375 || .429 || .667 || 1.7 || .2 || .3 || .5 || 2.9

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Toronto

| 24 || 0 || 11.0 || .465 || .333 || .733 || 2.5 || .3 || .3 || .6 || 4.8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 56 || 30 || 17.0 || .544 || .000 || .836 || 4.9 || .7 || .4 || .8 || 5.9

| align="left" | {{nbay|2014}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 68 || 8 || 14.1 || .550 || .000 || .818 || 4.6 || .7 || .3 || .8 || 6.5

| align="left" | {{nbay|2015}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 59 || 17 || 14.6 || .476 || .000 || .839 || 4.6 || .5 || .3 || .6 || 6.0

| align="left" | {{nbay|2016}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 39 || 15 || 15.0 || .500 || .000 || .725 || 4.5 || .3 || .5 || .6 || 5.3

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 293 || 76 || 13.3 || .503 || .286 || .797 || 3.9 || .5 || .3 || .6 || 5.3

==Playoffs==

| align="left" | 2015

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 3 || 0 || 3.3 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || .3 || .3 || .3 || .0 || 2.7

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 3 || 0 || 3.3 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || .3 || .3 || .3 || .0 || 2.7

=EuroLeague=

| align="left" | 2006–07

| align="left" | Pau-Orthez

| 2 || 0 || 4.2 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 1.5 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || -3.0

| align="left" | 2013–14

| align="left" | SIG Strasbourg

| 9 || 9 || 25.5 || .553 || .000 || .757 || 5.4 || 1.7 || .9 || .9 || 17.1 || 17.2

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 11 || 9 || 21.6 || .534 || .000 || .757 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .7 || .7 || 14.0 || 13.5

Personal life

Ajinça and his wife Courtney have two sons, Carter and Caysen.{{cite web|last=Eichenhofer|first=Jim|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/christmas-special-day-nba-year-its-even-more-memorable-pelicans-alexis-ajinca-john-salmons|title=Christmas is special day for NBA; this year it's even more memorable for Pelicans' Alexis Ajinca, John Salmons|work=NBA.com|date=December 24, 2014|access-date=December 7, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Eichenhofer|first=Jim|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/dad-second-time-month-alexis-ajinca-relishes-joys-fatherhood|title=Alexis Ajinca relishes joys of fatherhood|work=NBA.com|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017}} His cousin, Melvin Ajinça, is a professional basketball player.{{cite web |last1=Bertrande |first1=Arnaud |title=Melvin Ajinça : "Faire mieux que mon cousin" |url=https://www.lequotidiendusport.fr/melvin-ajinca-faire-mieux-que-mon-cousin/ |website=Le Quotidien du Sport |access-date=30 November 2023 |date=26 April 2022 |language=French}}

References

External links

{{basketball stats|nba=201582|bbr=a/ajincal01}}
[http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=LHF Alexis Ajinça] at euroleague.net
[http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A30914/Alexis-Ajinca Alexis Ajinça] at lnb.fr {{in lang|fr}}

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