Joel Ayayi Named to Jerry West Award Watch List

Joel Ayayi was named to the Jerry West Award Watch List on Tuesday. The award goes out to the best shooting guard in the country each year. Ayayi makes it two for two for Gonzaga so far this week, joining Jalen Suggs in early season accolades.

Expectations are running high for Ayayi, who showcased what he is capable of last season, averaging 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He was also named the 2020 West Coast Tournament MVP.

Ayayi is a box score stuffing machine, posting a double-double in three games last season. Ayayi considered the NBA Draft last season, ultimately returning for his junior year and a potential NCAA Championship.

Here are the rest of the Jerry West Award Watch List nominees:

• John Petty Jr., Alabama
• Terry Taylor ,Austin Peay
• MaCio Teague, Baylor
• Matt Bradley, California
• James Bouknight, Connecticut
• Mitch Ballock, Creighton
• Kellan Grady, Davidson
• Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy
• DJ Steward, Duke
• Scottie Lewis, Florida
• MJ Walker, Florida State
• Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga
• Caleb Mills, Houston
• Joe Wieskamp, Iowa
• Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
• Terrence Clarke, Kentucky
• Franz Wagner, Michigan
• Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis
• Justin Moore, Villanova
• Paul Scruggs, Xavier