In Spokane, Washington, Michael Ajayi, former leading scorer of Pepperdine men’s basketball, has officially inked a financial aid agreement with Gonzaga University, as confirmed by Gonzaga men’s basketball.

Standing at 6’7″, Ajayi made the move to Gonzaga in late March following an impressive season at Pepperdine. Just three weeks after his transfer, he announced his intention to enter the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility for college basketball.

For many college players, declaring for the NBA Draft while retaining college eligibility allows them to gauge interest from NBA scouts and assess their prospects in the professional league. The deadline for early entry players to withdraw from the Draft and return to college is June 16th.

Ajayi, hailing from Kent, Washington, serves as a versatile forward for the team, leading in rebounding, steals, and minutes played. His per-game averages include 17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 34.7 minutes. A junior, Ajayi transferred to Pepperdine after two years at Pierce College.

Notably, Ajayi earned All-West Coast Conference honors for the 2023-24 season, securing a spot on the All-WCC first team alongside Gonzaga’s Graham Ike, Ryan Nembhard, and Anton Watson.