Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi was once soaring on ESPN’s radar as a promising prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft. But now, Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi is experiencing a slight dip in his ranking. From being pegged as the No. 36 pick this summer, he now sits at No. 49 on the updated list. Is this a sign of trouble, or merely a blip on the radar?
Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi: Draft Hopeful or a Distant Memory?
Ajayi’s rise began with an impressive showing at the NBA Draft Combine this past May. His freshman season at Pepperdine was nothing short of spectacular, with a 17.2-point average that led the West Coast Conference. Yet, despite his proven skills, Ajayi hasn’t been starting for Gonzaga this season, coming off the bench in the team’s early games. Still, his performance in critical moments has stood out.
In the Bulldogs’ recent victories over Baylor and Arizona State, Ajayi showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with on the court. His relentless defense and tenacity on the boards were evident, as he racked up a staggering 12 rebounds in the win over Arizona State. The man simply won’t let a ball go without a fight. As coach Mark Few put it, Ajayi “just assumes every ball is his” once it hits the rim. That kind of energy is hard to ignore.
Despite being fifth in scoring on the team with 9.0 points per game, Ajayi’s leadership shines through in his rebounding. With 20 rebounds already to his name in just 51 minutes this season, he’s proving that he’s not just a scorer—he’s the heart and soul of the Bulldogs’ defense.
But here’s the twist—while Ajayi is grinding on the court, the freshman phenom, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, is taking the NBA world by storm. Flagg is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. His debut was a spectacle, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds, even in a loss to Kentucky. The race to the top is fierce, and Ajayi’s path is getting narrower by the day.
Looking beyond the top pick, the 2025 draft class is filled with star power, including Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe (No. 4) and UConn’s Liam McNeely (No. 10). These one-and-done prospects are shaping the future of the NBA, and Gonzaga’s Ajayi will need to dig deeper if he wants to hold his ground.
As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Ajayi. Will his hard work pay off, or will he get lost in the shuffle of bigger names? His performance this season could make or break his draft dreams, and with every game, the stakes get higher.
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