Joel Ayayi

[Mr Vulture]

Joel will be fine. He hasn’t been great the last couple weeks but he’s still a big part of the success of this team. Really don’t think it has to do with teams adjusting to him, it’s just a rough stretch.



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[Hoopaholic]

Think we need to have a real talk about Joel.

His play over the past few weeks is a decline of what we saw from non-conference play. He is increasingly disappearing on offense, taking less and less quality shots. His turnovers per game over the past 7-8 games is also way up. I think NCAA has officially adjusted to Joel and knows how to handle him now.

I have heard comments from some people that Ayayi looks tired. I am curious if others on this board share that same perspective. Toll of high/heavy minutes catching up to him?

Sophomore wall. Looking to see him bounce back

His rebounding has been strong

Shot selection has changed, lack of confidence lately?

Don’t agree on turnovers over last 8 games or so. Has 15 total which is about his season average, but has had 3 very bad games, BYU with 4 Pepperdine with 3 Pepperdine with 6

[LTownZag]

He has plus body type and skill but currently bad judgement. That’s it.

[White lightning]

Teams have a lot of tape on Gonzaga and are finding ways to slow the offense. Joel is now not a surprise to them like us earlier in the season. His play earlier in the season was probably above his average and now its slightly below. I feel he's going to have another stellar performance before the season ends.

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[bballbeachbum]

Teams have a lot of tape on Gonzaga and are finding ways to slow the offense. Joel is now not a surprise to them like us earlier in the season. His play earlier in the season was probably above his average and now its slightly below. I feel he's going to have another stellar performance before the season ends.

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was just going to post something similar man

it's not just adjusting to him, but the Zags in general, good point

so the transition baskets are down, leading to more possession by possession stuff, and that has proven more of a chllenge to Joel imo, especially on D where he gets matched up with some tanks on the switches sometimes and just gets pounded on. Lee didn't score on him last night that I can recall, but I'd bet Joel has 2-3 good bruises and other aches from trying to check him in the box while giving up I don't know how many pounds to that guy. that stuff adds up, BYU not the first to do it to him like that

[ZagHouse]

As tall as he is and with his prowess with grabbing rebounds, I don’t understand why he doesn’t dunk. There is still a bit of timidity to his game that I’d like to see him shed. How awesome would it be for him to throw something down. I can’t recall him ever dunking the ball which has allowed defenders to get back and block his shot. It’s happened a couple times now on fast breaks the last few games.

[StatZag19]

Don’t agree on turnovers over last 8 games or so. Has 15 total which is about his season average, but has had 3 very bad games, BYU with 4 Pepperdine with 3 Pepperdine with 6

Before that 7 game stretch, Joel was averaging 1.36 TOs per game. His past 7 is 2.14. Season average is 1.6ish.

I may have exaggerated a bit, but it's still true they're up and from the eye test, his ball handling hasn't looked great; especially in traffic.

I do think he'll get much better at this in the offseason, like a lot of Zags do.

[ZagaZags]

Where do you think Joel go from here ? He has look every bit of a potential future pro. Wondering how long we can have him in Spokane.

2 more years.......

[ZagaZags]

Joel won't be at Gonzaga next year because he will be in the NBA.

Good thing GU has Dom and Jalen coming.

[FloridaZagFan]

As tall as he is and with his prowess with grabbing rebounds, I don’t understand why he doesn’t dunk. There is still a bit of timidity to his game that I’d like to see him shed. How awesome would it be for him to throw something down. I can’t recall him ever dunking the ball which has allowed defenders to get back and block his shot. It’s happened a couple times now on fast breaks the last few games.

Joel has nice length and can shoot but he is not a super vertical athlete. Of course he can dunk but he's not Stanley (Duke) who can finish over people and he is 6'5 like Joel. If the space in the paint isnt crowded he is a good finisher that's why in transition he scores so easily. He is a lateral athlete so he needs space to create that's why when the paint is full he struggles. If we are not scoring points in transition then Joel's game goes a little flat unless he is making NBA 3's and fewer teams will let him take those.

[MDABE80]

The least of his problems is dunking. Geez. Lol. He’s simply not the same kid. His defense is lousy and for kid who is as quick north south as wool ridge. He’s gotten very slow. Few will figure it out but this Uber talented youngster will be here with us for another year at the very least. Love him!

[FloridaZagFan]

The least of his problems is dunking. Geez. Lol. He’s simply not the same kid. His defense is lousy and for kid who is as quick north south as wool ridge. He’s gotten very slow. Few will figure it out but this Uber talented youngster will be here with us for another year at the very least. Love him!

I really like his game, I just want to see more of it! He has been a big part of this team.

[Zagricultural]

He just needs a consistent motor. Not enough fire enough of the time.

[Spike#1]

Here is a great article on Joel from the Spokesman.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/mar/04/gonzagas-joel-ayayi-maintains-confidence-through-h/?fbclid=IwAR24-XOJSSbgHK2RkTnBgO0MkexnpwXrQJLmeOAdciqHilo22SLROHCyR5A

What a great attitude / example of team chemistry on this team:

“When we play against those big, physical teams, maybe we need me a little bit more. In conference, the right play is to pass the ball down low,” Ayayi said. “To be honest, I mean Filip, Killian and Drew are killing it, so why keep the ball outside when the easy play should be passing down low and they delivered the whole conference?”

[DZ]

“When we play against those big, physical teams, maybe we need me a little bit more. In conference, the right play is to pass the ball down low,” Ayayi said. “To be honest, I mean Filip, Killian and Drew are killing it, so why keep the ball outside when the easy play should be passing down low and they delivered the whole conference?”

Yes, but do please feel free to keep hitting 20 foot daggers with 3 minutes left. A couple at BYU might've gone a long way. His shot might've been the most important single shot versus SMC.