NBA Draft 2021: 5 most intriguing undrafted players to watch going forward

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 26: Yves Pons #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers tries to go up for a shot against Ethan Henderson #24 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 86-69. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

Joel Ayayi James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

2. G Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga

Joel Ayayi was probably saying “ay-yai-yai” when he slipped past every team in the draft. He was being discussed as a fringe first-round pick. How could he go completely undrafted?

The Frenchman has a solid all-around game. He shot 57.5 percent from the field last year, including 38.9 percent from three. Ayayi is also great at crashing the boards for someone of his 6-foot-5 stature, averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.

Ayayi is not necessarily a big scorer. He averaged 12.0 points per game with the Bulldogs last season. The guard could also stand to be a better passer (2.7 assists per game) and get to the line more, where he’s a fine shooter but only averaged 2.0 attempts per game last season.

Ayayi has also wound up in a bit of a questionable spot. He signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, which gives the guard a legitimate chance to win a championship in his first season. After the team’s early moves to grab a bunch of veterans at the start of free agency, however, the fight for a roster spot won’t be easy.

His do-it-all mentality may be enough to fight for a spot on the end of the bench, though. If he can squeeze out a spot, it won’t be long before he’s making opponents pay for leaving him on the board during the draft.

Home/NBA Draft News