Gonzaga Basketball: Profile of the ultimate “glue guy” in Joel Ayayi
By Maceo Baller
REBOUNDING
Joel Ayayi’s presence and impact in the glass is kind of wild when you consider we are talking about a 6’5 lightweight wing-guard that leads his team on the boards alongside 6’10 Timme. He’s had some extraordinary shows in that regard for Gonzaga over the season (18rebs vs Iowa, 13rbs vs Portland…) and is one of the best non-big rebounders in the nation.
On the defensive end, it’s been mentioned here before how Ayayi is used to roam the paint in D always ready to put his body on boxouts and anticipate bigger guys. His wiry frame, agility, standing reach, and positioning do the rest for the Frenchman, who loves to push offense after the catch with grab-and-go moves in which his guard skills and vision peaks in the open court.
On the offensive end, Ayayi is bound to hunt for second chances (1.6/game) and resumes his pro-efficient scoring with tips and put-backs, all high percentage shots. Ayayi’s cutting display and technique find a way to shine again when he crashes the boards.
Only about 10% of Joel shots and overall scoring at the rim comes off put-backs (by Hoop-Maths) but his hustle and motor gives the Zags a chance to keep the play alive, re-start the clock or get FTs after a foul, and ultimately unsettle or stop their rival’s transition.
TRANSITION OFFENSE
For a team that isn’t especially big and loves to play up-tempo like Gonzaga, transition offense is a big deal and Ayayi gets a ton of credit in this department as a creative guard that transforms boards into clean easy buckets for himself or others. Besides being an elite backcourt rebounder, Ayayi is also pretty active and long jumping on passing lanes, even flashy at times, disrupting and catching the rock while forcing a number of 1×0 runs with his natural awareness and anticipation.
Without forgetting his defensive duties, Ayayi’s downhill instincts will show up as off-ball target in the open court too, when he breaks in a moment towards the hoop expecting the ball, creating obvious passing windows and making life easier for his teammates after they got possession back.