Gonzaga Basketball: NBA Mock Draft Consensus on Suggs, Kispert, Ayayi
Joel Ayayi – 6-5, Wing
- Highest draft spot – Los Angeles Clippers, 26th
- Lowest draft spot – Brooklyn Nets, 49th
- Most common draft spot – N/A
Ayayi also came back for another season when he wasn’t projected to go as high as he would have liked in the 2020 Draft. Returning for a third season was the right move. Not only was he part of an amazing team, Ayayi worked his way up to a potential first-round pick.
The native of Paris, France improved each year he was under coach Mark Few’s guidance. For 2020-21, Ayayi had his best season yet. He averaged 12.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Ayayi showed the necessary skills and leadership to succeed at the next level.
Every team needs its glue. Last year, Ayayi was the glue that held Gonzaga together. The tougher the situation, the harder he played. When the Zags needed a stop, he made it. If GU needed a big basket, Ayayi stepped up and sank it. In short, when all else failed, the 6-5 wing didn’t.
Prospects 1.0
The good news is that every mock draft we audited that went into the second round included Ayayi. Unfortunately, there is no consensus, each one had him headed to someplace different. Some mock drafters believe Ayayi is a late first-round pick, while others see him as a mid-second rounder. In the right situation, he could thrive as a 3-and-D wing.
A capable shooter, excellent passer, and elite off-ball cutter, Ayayi is the type of feel-driven player the Clippers tend to love. He’d be a strong fit accentuating the talent already on the roster and should be a valuable rotation player in the right situation. – Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated