Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi to return for junior season
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi is withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and will return for his junior decision.
The school announced his decision Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 French guard averaged 10.6 points, 6,6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals last season. He was named the West Coast Conference tournament most outstanding player while helping the Zags qualify for their 22nd straight NCAA Tournament.
Gonzaga finished 31-2 and was in position to earn a No. 1 seed before the NCAA Tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Zags big man Filip Petrusev, last year's leading scorer and rebounded, opted to play professionally Serbia, but Zags coach Mark Few has signed one of the program's best recruiting classes for next season.
___
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
2025 NBA MVP Odds: Cunningham Closing In on SGA, Joker
2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Kon Knueppel Chasing Cooper Flagg
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Nuggets Hold Steady; Spurs Surge
2025 NBA MVP Odds: Cunningham Closing In on SGA, Joker
2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Kon Knueppel Chasing Cooper Flagg
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder, Nuggets Hold Steady; Spurs Surge
