NBA Draft: Top undrafted players following the 2021 Draft

Best undrafted NBA prospects: Joel Ayayi – Gonzaga

Joel Ayayi’s 6-foot-5 frame, combined with some solid athleticism and explosiveness made him a consistent scorer during his three seasons at Gonzaga, the third, and last of which, being his most well-rounded.

Despite his height, Ayayi pulled down 6.9 rebounds, to go with 12 points and 2.7 assists per game. What is more impressive, however, is the steady improvement Ayayi showed in his offensive efficiency, improving his shooting splits from 53/27/28 in 2019 to 57/39/78 this past season. He has shown flashes of promise in at-the-rim finishes, but that skill is likely to shrink against the more experienced and rugged competition in the pros.

The Lakers signed the former Bulldog to a two-way contract within minutes of the draft’s conclusion, penning him in for at least a handful of games with the Lakers, with a considerable run in the G-League to be expected.

Rebounding and length at the one or two spots are always welcome, especially with a much-improved 3-point shot. Whether Ayayi’s steady improvement can be attributed to practice and dedication, the masterful playmaking of Jalen Suggs, or a little bit of both, Ayayi will likely hone his solid guard skills with time as a South Bay Laker, or with any number of the G-League’s squads.