Three former Big West men’s basketball players have earned spots on NBA Opening Week rosters for the 2026-27 season.

Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara '24) is in year three in the NBA after being drafted with the 38th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the summer of 2025, the former Gaucho guard signed with the Thunder on a three-year, nine-million dollar deal. Mitchell was a three-time All-Big West selection, garnering First Team honors the final two seasons, and was the league's Player of the Year and Championship MVP in 2022-23. In 2023-24, the Ans, Liege, Belgium product averaged 20.0 points, on 50.4 percent shooting, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Mitchell compiled 1,463 points in three seasons at Santa Barbara. 

Zyon Pullin (UC Riverside '23) is on a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since joining the professional ranks, the former Highlander has had stints in the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies organizations. Pullin was a four-year member of UC Riverside from 2019-23 and was a two-time All-Big West honoree, including First Team accolades in 2022-23 after averaging 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Kobe Sanders (Cal Poly '24) is a second-year player in the league. Originally on a two-way contract after being drafted in the second round, 50th overall, by the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Draft and then subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Sanders signed a four-year deal this past offseason to remain with the Clippers. Sanders was a four-year Mustang and earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honors after averaging 19.6 points per game in 2023-24. The guard transferred to Nevada for a final season of NCAA eligibility. 

NBA veteran Gabe Vincent (UC Santa Barbara ’18) is currently a free agent. Vincent played four seasons at UC Santa Barbara and earned 2014-15 Big West Freshman of the Year, 2015-16 All-Big West Honorable Mention and 2017-18 All-Big West Second Team honors. The former Gaucho's professional career started with the Stockton Kings, the G-League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. After averaging 23.4 points per game for the team during the 2019-20 season, Vincent was offered a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, which eventually turned into a standard NBA contract before the 2020-21 season. The Modesto, Calif. native played a key role in getting the Heat to the 2023 NBA Finals averaging 9.4 points per game. 

Hayden Gray (UC San Diego ’25) is also a free agent. Gray was most recently a final training camp cut of the Boston Celtics. Gray spent most of the 2025-26 season in the G-League, but was called up and suited up one game for the Utah Jazz, becoming the first Triton to play in the NBA. As a senior in 2024-25, the San Diego, Calif. native averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.1 steals, helping the Tritons to a school record 30-5 record and the program's first NCAA tournament appearance. Gray was named All-Big West Second Team and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Big West is prominently represented on NBA coaching staffs with six alums from four schools featured on the sidelines. In addition to Mitchell, Pullin and Sanders, approximately 95 other players that competed for Big West schools will play professionally this season across the globe. 

Big West alumni on NBA rosters
Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara '24) - Oklahoma City Thunder
Gabe Vincent (UC Riverside '23) - Minnesota Timberwolves
Kobe Sanders (Cal Poly '24) - Los Angeles Clippers
 
Big West alumni on NBA coaching staffs
Scott Brooks (UC Irvine '87) - Assistant Coach, Los Angeles Lakers
Maxwell Kupchak (UC Santa Barbara ’19) - Coordinator of Cap Strategy and Player Personnel, Atlanta Hawks
Jon Pastorek (UC Santa Barbara ’11) - Pro Scout, San Antonio Spurs
Joe Prunty (Cal Poly '91) - Assistant Coach, Orlando Magic
Brian Shaw (UC Santa Barbara '88) - Assistant Coach, Los Angeles Clippers
Isaac Yacob (CSUN '18) - Assistant Coach, Indiana Pacers