Gonzaga Basketball: 10 key storylines to watch for 2020-21 season

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Gonzaga Bulldogs t-shirts are draped over stadium seats prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 18, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Joel Ayayi #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Joel Ayayi may be the best pro prospect on the roster

As high as I am on Jalen Suggs and his future to the NBA, an argument can be made that the 6’5 Frenchman has the best game that translates. He is naturally a combo guard but has elite athleticism to play and guard at either position, while also being able to shoot the ball.

Ayayi’s biggest strength is his rebounding and instincts to get to the ball. He was second on the team at 6.3 rpg and there were times where he was close to notching a triple-double. Considering that he usually was the 4th or 5th scoring option on the court, the redshirt junior’s average of 10.6 ppg isn’t an issue at all.

In fact, his offense seems to be limited on purpose, due to the team’s desire to pound the ball inside and exploit mismatches. In turn, that hurts the production of the guards and lessens their production. This season though, the trio of Suggs, Ayayi, and Kispert should lead the way, which may benefit the junior most off the ball.

In today’s NBA, guards must be comfortable playing at a high pace and must have multiple traits and skills to be effective enough to stay on the court. Ayayi has that and in the right place could be a starter that produces at a high level. He still seems to have more growing to do and with a big campaign, could be also going pro early and land as a 1st round NBA Draft pick.