Eric Ayala

Eric Ayala (born January 2, 1999) is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Maryland.

Eric Ayala
Ayala with Maryland in 2022
Personal information
Born (1999-01-02) January 2, 1999
NationalityPuerto Rican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeMaryland (2018–2022)
NBA draft2022: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
Career history
2022Atléticos de San Germán
2022–2023Keflavík

High school career

Ayala played basketball for Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut.[1] Ayala played a postgraduate season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.[2] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Maryland over offers from Miami (Florida) and Oregon.[3]

College career
Ayala in January 2020

As a freshman, Ayala became a regular starter at Maryland, averaging 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.[4] In his sophomore season, he averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 35.8 percent from the field.[5] In his junior season, he became his team's primary point guard with the departure of Anthony Cowan Jr.[6] Ayala averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a junior, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, before ultimately returning.[7] Ayala was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media as a senior.[8]

Professional career

In September 2022, Ayala signed with Keflavík of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla after originally having signed with Sopron during the summer.[9]

National team career

Ayala represented Puerto Rico at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Argentina, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.[10]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Maryland 343329.0.430.406.7742.92.1.3.38.6
2019–20 Maryland 312027.8.358.274.7252.92.5.4.18.5
2020–21 Maryland 292833.6.437.337.8314.32.21.2.115.1
2021–22 Maryland 312933.4.383.339.6884.62.10.8.114.7
Career 12511030.9.402.337.7583.72.2.6.211.6

References
  1. Price, Betsy (January 13, 2021). "Sanford's Ayala takes unique journey to lead Maryland program as junior". Delaware Live. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  2. Markus, Don (January 31, 2019). "From latchkey kid to lead guard, Maryland's Eric Ayala has always been mature for his age". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  3. Horn, Brittany (October 14, 2017). "Wilmington native chooses Maryland for college hoops career". The News Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  4. Markus, Don (January 14, 2020). "Maryland's Eric Ayala calm, confident despite season-long shooting slump: 'He always stays balanced'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  5. Donohue, Pat (November 27, 2020). "Ayala ready to replace Cowan for Maryland with some help from newcomers". Rivals. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  6. Ermann, Jeff (September 30, 2020). "Ayala on replacing Cowan, Terps roster and more". 247Sports. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. Rosh, Lauren (April 9, 2021). "Maryland basketball's Eric Ayala enters NBA Draft, will retain eligibility". Testudo Times. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  8. "2021-22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  9. Sindri Sverrisson (22 September 2022). "Keflavík frumsýnir Bandaríkjamann í kvöld". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  10. Myers, Brad (June 16, 2015). "Sanford's Eric Ayala excels on international stage". The News Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
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