Michael Ajayi, who has committed to Gonzaga, plans to participate in the NBA Draft.
On Sunday, Michael Ajayi took to social media to announce his decision to enter the 2024 NBA Draft while still maintaining his eligibility for college. The 6-foot-7 wing, hailing from Kent, Washington, made this choice almost two weeks subsequent to revealing his transfer from Pepperdine to Gonzaga. As per NCAA regulations, he has until May 29 to retract his name from draft consideration to ensure his eligibility for the upcoming college season.
During the 2023-24 season, Ajayi showcased his talent, averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, earning him All-WCC first team honors. Shooting 46.7% from the field and an impressive 47.0% from beyond the arc (on 2.5 attempts per game), he made a significant impact. His transfer to Gonzaga on March 27 saw him ranked sixth in On3.com’s transfer portal rankings.
Having initially made his mark at Pierce Community College in Puyallup, Washington, Ajayi emerged as one of the standout scorers in the West Coast Conference. He garnered accolades such as the 2022 Northwest Athletic Conference West Region’s Most Valuable Player and the West Region’s Freshman of the Year.
The uncertainty lies in whether Ajayi’s scoring prowess and wing versatility will translate to success at the NBA level, especially as he is not featured in prominent mock drafts. However, with another season under the guidance of Mark Few at the NCAA level, his prospects as a professional could potentially improve, mirroring the development seen in players like Julian Strawther and Drew Timme last year.
Ajayi stands as the sole Gonzaga player to declare for the NBA Draft at this time.
