Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft Profile: Joel Ayayi

The Charlotte Hornets own their own first-round pick and are owed second-round picks from the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the next couple of months, leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft, Swarm & Sting will take a look at prospects hoping to hear their name called on draft night.

We’ve spent a good amount of energy focusing on players that may be available when the Hornets pick in the first round with the 11th overall selection, but now we turn the page to focus on a number of players who may still be on the board when Charlotte picks at No. 56 and 57.

Age: 21

Height: 6′ 5″

Weight: 180 lbs

College Stats/Awards

Joel Ayayi enters the 2021 NBA Draft after spending three seasons at Gonzaga. During the 2020-21 season, Ayayi played in 32 games, starting 31, averaging 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, while shooting 57.5% from the field and 38.9% from three. The fourth-junior earned All-WCC 1st Team Honors last season.

Primary Strengths

Ayayi has good size for a guard at his height and frame. He has excellent lateral quickness and fluidity.

Ayayi is active on the defensive end. He can guard multiple positions and particularly excels playing the passing lanes and is a very good rebounder at his position. Ayayi is tough and can be counted on to do the little things on both ends of the floor.

Ayayi is an average shooter and scorer off the dribble but scores his best on off-ball motion plays.

Primary Weaknesses

Ayayi played primarily off the ball last season for the Zags, he’ll need to continue to improve moving off the ball and with his jump shot. He didn’t rack up a lot of assists, so he’ll need to show that he can create offense for his teammates at the next level.

Ayayi struggles offensively in the lanes and doesn’t draw too many fouls and free throw opportunities.

Ayayi will need to become more disciplined on the defensive end of the floor; at Gonzaga he showed the tendency to have lapses on that side of the floor.

Draft Projection

Ayayi was overshadowed by higher-profile players during his time at Gonzaga but he’s a solid prospect with a lot of playing experience that teams will look to add in the second round.

Ayayi has the tools to develop into a skilled offensive role player in the NBA. His rebounding and willingness to do the little things will also aid him in landing a spot on a roster. Ayayi won’t go unselected in the draft but he will come off the board as early as late in the first round or as late as the bottom of the second.

The draft lottery will be held on Tuesday, June 22 on ESPN. The 2021 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, July 29 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will be televised on ABC (first-round only) and ESPN.