A 2021 All-WCC and the 2020 WCC Tournament MVP, Joel Ayayi had a successful 3 years at Gonzaga. As a junior, the Frenchman averaged 12 PPG, 7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, and 1.4 TOPG on shooting splits of 58/39/78. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Joel Ayayi
Height/Weight: 6’5 / 180
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: Guard
College/ country: Gonzaga
Tools: P&R prowess, length, defense
Pros:
- Plus vision
- Excellent frame for a guard
- Active hands defensively
- Navigates around screens well both as a scorer and playmaker
- Strong cutter
- Great rebounder for a guard
- Good finisher at the rim
Cons:
- Needs to continue refining jump shot form
- Nonexistent shooter off the dribble
- Struggles going left
- Needs to continue adding weight
Overall:
Joel Ayayi is a tall point guard with defensive prowess, as well as finishing ability, cutting, pick & roll excellence, and overall playing bigger than his size as a point guard. Defensively, Ayayi has length, mobility, and versatility at 6’5 to both stay in front of his man and be an overall positive defender. On the offensive end, Ayayi has a lot of swing skills that would need to go his way to pan out in the NBA. He is unable to hit pull-up jumpers, and his shot can be inconsistent as a spot up shooter, which is a core off-ball role. The other key area for Ayayi to maintain consistent success is developing his left hand, both as a ball-handler and a finisher. Ayayi often unnecessarily goes out of his way to finish with his right hand when he has the easy look for his left hand, which is a habit that will help him maintain his absurd 75% shooting at the rim. Ayayi could be a useful role player off the bench in virtually any lineup due to his elite cutting ability.
Similar to: Mardy Collins, Frank Ntilikina
Projected draft range: 45- undrafted
Expected Role: Two-way guard that runs a bench unit, primarily out of the P&R.
Unplayable if: Jump shooting doesn’t translate, and his struggles going left hold him back as a plus finisher.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shooting translates, even if only the spot-up shooting is what carries over to the NBA.
