Gonzaga Basketball: Profile of the ultimate “glue guy” in Joel Ayayi

SHOOTING

Although he’s proven to be a consistent scorer in different ways and set-ups, the 3pt-shot has never been one of Ayayi’s main traits. In that department, he’s for the most part a classic off-the-catch guy with his feet set and body in-line with the hoop before pulling the trigger. Ayayi gets to his shooting spots thanks to cutting and relocating mostly, as well as some transition and rare pick-and-pop action.

He can also shoot it after one-two dribbles in half-court, for which he relies very much on ball-screens to keep matchups at bay. There are some variables with his off hand-placement and release point that can affect his shooting rhythm, but on the whole Ayayi’s one-motion form has looked balanced especially in the month prior to the National Tournament. Aside of some explosive nights (4 triples against Saint Mary’s and Northern Arizona) he’s increased his percentages lately with several three triple games.

On the same note, Ayayi is not a high-volume shooter by any means. In fact, his triple attempts have decreased to 2.6 this season, which is not a surprise given the offensive options and the snippers around him. Ayayi doesn’t get off-screens or off-movement consideration just yet, and there’s not much of a midrange-game in his backpack either (only 12.2% of his tries are 2FG jumpers, by hoop-math).

Main reason it’s because he struggles a bit to create those looks all by himself. But it shouldn’t be a big deal given his proficient role at Gonzaga, and the fact he might not need that tool at the next level, anyway. From the charity stripe, Ayayi has improved his numbers as well (78.8%) after a slow start of the season, which is definitely an encouraging sign going forward.

DRIBBLE DRIVE

Ayayi’s fit within Gonzaga’s system of multiple ball-handlers has certainly pushed his development to new heights. The Zags perform with such pose and pace, that Ayayi is rarely needed as a primary creator but does so in sporadic settings, while the likes of Suggs, Nembhard, and Aaron Cook usually take over the PG role.

There could be a case for Joel getting a larger chunk of usage and responsibility on-the-ball though if only based on his previous FIBA international experience. But Ayayi’s natural unselfishness and team-first mentality have allowed him to adjust to what it was best for the team, choose his battles carefully with the basketball in his hands, and mature exponentially as a decision-maker.

As a scorer off the bounce, Ayayi is way more effective when he manipulates picks to get to the rim, as he does not have enough burst or explosion to break defenders repeatedly in ISO situations. Still, Ayayi can identify mismatches and attack switches and closeouts, making his way into the lane with flashes of hesitation, shiftiness, and long steps. He’s not a slasher by trade, though, and his previously mentioned lack of physicality to absorb contact and some loose handle can definitely hurt him in traffic.

On the other hand, his combination of size, length and ambidextrous touch matters and makes things happen around the rim. Ayayi can squeeze through angles and finish with layups and scups off the glass. He possesses a well-developed floater from his FIBA youth days too but still needs to draw more fouls going aggressive to the rack.

PLAYMAKING / PASSING

While Ayayi hasn’t been a full-time playmaker at any time of his Gonzaga career and he isn’t the most creative guard in the roster, he has made strides on that respect and changes games on-the-ball. He’s showed enough talent to shift positions when asked and play several spots just like a prototypical secondary initiator with an interesting ATO-ratio of 2.05.

Mark Few has worked with Joel’s versatile approach and give him freedom off the bounce in different scenarios; mostly using him in high PNR and DHO action. In that constant flow of picks and movement, Ayayi has shown the ability to make reads and see the floor above matchups delivering timed passes thanks to his fluidity and size advantage.

Being a stationary ball-mover within an elite offense that produces looks off the catch for Korey Kispert is not an easy task. For Ayayi though, the role comes straightforward; such a smart passer with his feet set or after a single dribble. Joel is particularly effective at the top of the key waiting for openings and beating some tendency to dither on the ball. His IQ, speed and execution are impressive too.

He can find postmen with bouncy entry passes, hit the snipper with a whip to the corner, feed the cutter with an overhead kick and reverses the play with a skip pass. Apart from half-court sets, Ayayi’s playmaking flourishes at speed in transition offense where he likes to push through the central lane and get flashy with long kicks, dimes on the run, and spectacular lobs with Jalen Suggs usually as a target.