Michael Ajayi, who previously attended Pepperdine, is set to pay a visit to the Gonzaga Bulldogs as a transfer.
Pepperdine men’s basketball transfer Michael Ajayi is said to be scheduling visits to Gonzaga and Ole Miss in the upcoming weeks, as per reports from Joe Tipton of On3.com.
Originally from Kent, Washington, Ajayi earned recognition on the All-West Coast Conference first team for his impressive stats in his debut Division-I season, averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, with a notable 47.0% three-point shooting rate. Standing at 6-foot-7, Ajayi occupies the sixth spot on On3.com’s transfer portal rankings.
According to Tipton, Ajayi entered the transfer portal on March 18 and has attracted interest from various schools including Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, Baylor, and UCLA, alongside Gonzaga.
Ajayi showcased his skills against Gonzaga with a notable 14-point, 14-rebound performance in the WCC opener, but was limited to six points in their subsequent meeting. Throughout WCC play, he maintained solid averages of 17.1 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Pepperdine faces a significant period of change following the dismissal of head coach Lorenzo Romar, coupled with the potential departure of several players via the transfer portal. With seven of their top eight scorers likely to leave, the team will undergo a complete overhaul in its starting lineup, especially after fifth-year guard Ethan Anderson graduates.
For Gonzaga, Ajayi presents a potential replacement once fifth-year senior Anton Watson concludes his eligibility this spring, as he’s the only player on the roster set to graduate after the current season.
