SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga redshirt sophomore Joel Ayayi has submitted his papers for early entry to the 2020 NBA Draft. He will do so without the representation of an agent.
 
Ayayi, who was named the 2020 West Coast Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player, appeared in all 33 games this past season, starting in 23. He averaged 10.6 points, 6.33 rebounds (which was eighth in WCC), 3.21 assists (11th in WCC), and 1.27 steals (10th in WCC) per game. He was fourth in the conference with a 2.08 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
"I am entering the NBA draft, but my number one option is still to return to Gonzaga. I love the coaches, the school and my teammates. There is still a lot of uncertainty with what might happen to next year's NCAA season, so entering the draft gives me a little more time to evaluate that. I am not hiring an agent and will work directly with Coach Few and the GU coaching staff to make the best decision prior to the NCAA draft withdrawal date. Zag Up!"
 
As in years past, players can submit paperwork to receive evaluations from the NBA. Ayayi plans to utilize the current rules in place. 
 
Ayayi scored a career-high 21 points, with 12 rebounds, in the Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinals versus Southern Miss on Nov. 27. He grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, with 10 points, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Bordeaux, France, native had seven assists twice, including in the win at No. 15 Arizona on Dec. 14. He scored in double-digits 20 times in 2019-20.
 
Ayayi helped the Bulldogs qualify for their 22^nd straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2019-20. Gonzaga finished the shortened season at 31-2, going 15-1 in West Coast Conference play, winning the league regular season title for a national-best eighth straight season. GU is the only program in the country to have reached 30 wins in each of the past four seasons.