Michael Ajayi is a high-energy forward with length, toughness, and a nose for the ball. Ajayi averaged 16.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season at Butler. He was named First Team All-Big East and led the conference in rebounds per game. At 6'6" with a 7'1" wingspan and 236 pounds, Ajayi has excellent length and strength for a wing/forward. He is the kind of kid that brings it every game. You can count on his energy. Ajayi played two years of junior college basketball before beginning a three-year NCAA career that started at Pepperdine. He then went to Gonzaga before finishing at Butler. Ajayi is not shy offensively. He will get his shots up. He led the Big East in two-point field goal attempts. He also does an excellent job drawing fouls. The shooting is the swing skill. Ajayi shot 33.2% from three-point range for his career and 68.2% from the free throw line, placing him in the LPS pool. His 1.19-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was passable for his role, but he is not much of a creator. Defensively, Ajayi was excellent. His DDiff was plus 4.3, and his size for his position, toughness, motor, and rebounding all translate on that end. He also jumped a 38" max vertical at the G League Elite Camp, showing more pop than some may expect. We do not foresee Ajayi being drafted. We think he deserves a long look. His toughness, energy, rebounding, and defensive size are all clear positives. Like so many prospects, his three-point shooting, or lack thereof, will likely determine how far he can go in the NBA.
