Michael Ajayi has pledged his commitment to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi took to social media to announce his commitment to join the Gonzaga Bulldogs for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Standing at 6-foot-7, hailing from Kent, Washington, Ajayi had an impressive junior season, averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, which earned him All-WCC first team honors. He showcased his shooting prowess by hitting 46.7% from the field and an impressive 47.0% from beyond the arc on 2.5 attempts per game. Ajayi’s talents were recognized by On3.com, ranking him No. 6 in their transfer portal rankings.
According to reports from On3.com’s Joe Tipton, Ajayi garnered interest from various programs, including Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, Baylor, and UCLA, among others. He had plans to visit Gonzaga and Ole Miss after entering the transfer portal on March 18.
Ajayi’s versatile scoring abilities make him a valuable addition to Gonzaga’s lineup, likely filling the spot left by fifth-year senior Anton Watson after his graduation this spring. Although he may not match Watson’s defensive impact, Ajayi’s capacity to drive to the basket, execute midrange pull-ups, and shoot from long range would offer a new dimension to the Bulldogs’ offense.
Ajayi’s journey to Division-I basketball began with two successful years at Pierce Community College in Puyallup, Washington, where he earned accolades such as the 2022 Northwest Athletic Conference West Region’s Most Valuable Player and Freshman of the Year for the West Region. He previously spent one season playing varsity basketball at Kentwood High School in 2020-21.
With Ajayi’s commitment secured for the upcoming season, Gonzaga remains vigilant in monitoring the transfer portal amid their deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Names like Kanaan Carlyle from Stanford and Roger McFarlane from SE Louisiana have surfaced as potential targets for the coaching staff as they navigate the 45-day portal window, which closes for player entries (excluding grad transfers and those transferring due to coaching changes) on May 1.
