Last fall, just ahead of the 2024–25 season tipping off, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Joe Pasternack, head coach of the UCSB men’s basketball program. It was one of those conversations coaches look forward to — catching him in the calm before the storm, hearing his mindset, his roster plan, and his visions for what could be. Looking back now, it’s rewarding to reflect on how that season unfolded — its highs and lows — and how Pasternack’s broader mission, particularly in developing NBA-level talent, continues to bear fruit.
A Preseason Conversation: Aspirations, Culture, and Foundations
In September 2024, the UCSB program was energized, rebuilding from some roster turnover and aiming to push upward in the Big West standings. In our interview, Coach Pasternack emphasized the importance of recruiting the person, not just the player — assessing character, fit, and how a student-athlete would grow within his system. He acknowledged the competitive challenges of scheduling against “power conference” opponents, noting that UCSB had pursued those opportunities and wasn’t shying away from tough non-conference games. (gauchohoops.com)
Pasternack also talked with pride about his tenure: by that point, he already held the record for the most wins by any UCSB head coach in his first seven seasons. He stressed the importance of continuity, player development, and competing in the Big West year after year. We left that day feeling that the program was steady, aspirational, and grounded.
Listen to the interview here:
The 2024–25 Season in Review
As the season played out, Gaucho fans had reason to nod back at many of Pasternack’s preseason remarks. Here’s how the season unfolded:
- Overall and conference record: UCSB finished with a 21–13 record, going 11–9 in Big West play, which placed them 5th in the conference (Sports Reference)
- Conference tournament: As the No. 5 seed, UCSB entered the Big West tournament with eyes on a run. Their path required navigating matchups with Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Northridge, and potentially UC San Diego. (The Santa Barbara Independent)
- Notable games & style: The Gauchos showed flashes of offensive efficiency (e.g. a game shooting 70% from the field and 65% from three in a contest vs. Bakersfield) and emphasized defense as a foundation. (The Santa Barbara Independent)
- Standing in context: While not dominating the Big West, UCSB’s 21 wins and mid-conference standing reinforced the program’s consistency under Pasternack. (University of California, Santa Barbara)
All told, the season didn’t reach aspirational peaks (such as an NCAA at-large bid) but showed growth, stability, and competitiveness in a challenging league.
Pasternack’s Legacy: Alumni Success & NBA Connections
One of the themes Pasternack often mentions is the long-term vision: building a pipeline of players who can reach professional levels. During our interview, he underscored how each year’s recruiting, development, and culture matters not just for wins, but for the next step in players’ careers.
That vision bore fruit in summer 2024: Ajay Mitchell, a guard for UCSB, was drafted 38th overall in the NBA Draft (second round) by the New York Knicks and then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. (University of California, Santa Barbara) His selection marked him as the 14th Gaucho ever drafted in school history. (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Mitchell’s collegiate career was notable: he averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his final season while shooting at a high efficiency (50.4 %) (NBA). He tied the school single-game scoring record with 39 points, and ranks among UCSB’s top career scorers. (University of California, Santa Barbara) Pasternack remarked at the time, “Ajay has truly honored the process every single day — on and off the court.” (University of California, Santa Barbara)
But the narrative didn’t stop at being drafted. In 2025, Mitchell became part of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA Championship team, making him one of the rare UCSB alums to win a title. (bigwest.org) That alone is a milestone for UCSB’s basketball program — from Isla Vista to being tied to an NBA Finals champion.
Beyond Mitchell, UCSB’s NBA connections include Gabe Vincent, who played in the 2023 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat (Wikipedia), as well as Miles Norris, another former Gaucho who signed a two-way deal with the Boston Celtics in March 2025. (bigwest.org) In Big West circles, Mitchell’s success also underscores the league’s ability to produce professional talent. (bigwest.org)
In short: Mitchell’s draft and subsequent championship are more than one player’s success. They reinforce a recruiting and development philosophy that Pasternack has long spoken about — that UCSB is not only trying to win games, but to build careers.
Reflection & Looking Forward
Talking with Coach Pasternack last fall felt like peeking into an engine room: steady, purposeful, methodical. He spoke then about challenges in scheduling, roster turnover, and the pressure to remain competitive in the Big West. What we saw across 2024–25 was a program that largely met expectations: respectable record, middle-of-the-conference placement, and moments of excellence.
But perhaps more importantly, the narrative that resonated beyond wins and losses was the confirmation that UCSB is building a bridge to the pros. The fact that a Gaucho was drafted and then became an NBA champion in the span of a year is a powerful statement — to recruits, to fans, and to the region. Pasternack’s emphasis on relationships, growth, and culture now has a real, visible payoff.
As the next seasons approach, it will be intriguing to see if the Gauchos can translate that developmental success into more consistent top-tier results: tougher nonconference scheduling, higher conference seedings, and maybe a return to the NCAA tournament. But whatever the win-loss ledger says, UCSB’s identity under Pasternack seems to be evolving beyond just wins — toward launching players to the next level in basketball and beyond. And that’s a story worth following.
