Gustavo Ayón

Gustavo Alfonso Ayón Aguirre (born April 1, 1985)[1] is a Mexican professional basketball player for Venados de Mazatlán[2] competing in the CIBACOPA league. He also represents the senior Mexican national basketball team in international national team competitions. Standing at a height of 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he plays at the center position. Ayon is a two−time All-EuroLeague Second Team selection.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ayón and the second or maternal family name is Aguirre.
Gustavo Ayón
Ayón with the Real Madrid in 2017.
Personal information
Born (1985-04-01) April 1, 1985
Zapotan, Nayarit, Mexico
NationalityMexican / Spanish
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolVincent Memorial Catholic
CollegeUniversidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla
NBA draft2007: undrafted
Playing career2006–2022
PositionCenter
Career history
2006–2009Halcones de Xalapa
2007→Vaqueros de Agua Prieta
2008→Dorados de Playa del Carmen
2009–2011Fuenlabrada
2009→Marinos de Anzoátegui
2009→Illescas
2009–2010→Tenerife
2011–2012New Orleans Hornets
2012–2013Orlando Magic
2013Milwaukee Bucks
2013–2014Atlanta Hawks
2014–2019Real Madrid
2019–2020Zenit Saint Petersburg
2020–2021Astros de Jalisco
2021–2022Capitanes de Arecibo
2022-Venados de Mazatlán
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
FIBA AmeriCup 1 0 1
Centrobasket 1 0 0
Total 2 0 1
Men's basketball
Representing  Mexico
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place2013 Venezuela
Bronze medal – third place2017 Argentina
Centrobasket
Gold medal – first place2014 Tepic

Early life and college career

Gustavo was born April 1, 1985, to parents Ayón Ayón and mother Linda Ayón.

Ayón attended at the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, in Mexico, for three years of college. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Mexican College Championship Tournament, in leading his team to the National Championship.[3]

Following that season, he signed with NCAA Division I San Jose State University.[3] However, Ayón never played for the Spartans, instead choosing to sign with a Mexican professional team, Halcones UV Xalapa.[4]

Professional career
Gustavo Ayon (19) of the Orlando Magic and Nenê of the Washington Wizards.

Mexico

In the 2006 season, Ayón saw some action off the bench for Halcones UV Xalapa, as the team finished second in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.[5] Ayón cracked the team's starting lineup the following season, and eventually led Halcones to back-to-back Mexican league titles, in 2007–08 and 2008–09.[4] He averaged 10.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 2007–08, and improved on that by averaging 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game the following season.[4] In what turned out to be his final game for the team, Ayón turned in a dominant, 24-point, 20-rebound, performance in leading his club to a 94–90 overtime victory over Soles de Mexicali, that clinched their second consecutive league title.[6]

Spain

Following the 2008–09 season, Ayón signed with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada of the Spanish League.[7] In November 2011, Ayón was named the Spanish League's ACB Player of the Month.

NBA

On December 2011, Ayón signed with the New Orleans Hornets, of the NBA, after paying Baloncesto Fuenlabrada with a $1.5-million buy-out clause. Ayón received a three-year contract, with the last year being a team option.[8]

On July 11, 2012, Ayón was traded to the Orlando Magic, in a sign-and-trade deal for Ryan Anderson.[9]

On February 21, 2013, Ayón was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, along with guards Ish Smith and JJ Redick, for guards Beno Udrih and Doron Lamb, and forward Tobias Harris.[10]

On July 25, 2013, he was waived by the Bucks.[11]

On July 29, 2013, Ayón was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Hawks.[12] On February 12, 2014, Ayón scored a career high 18 points, in a 83–104 loss to the Toronto Raptors.[13] On February 28, 2014, it was announced that Ayón would miss the rest of the 2013–14 season, following successful surgery to repair a right shoulder injury.[14]

Return to Spain

On September 23, 2014, Ayón signed a two-year deal with Spanish club Real Madrid coached by Pablo Laso.[15] In the 2014–15 season, Real Madrid won the EuroLeague, after defeating Olympiacos, by a score of 78–59 in the league's finals.[16] Real Madrid eventually finished the season by also winning the Spanish League championship, after a 3–0 series sweep in the Spanish League finals series against Barcelona. With that championship, Real Madrid thus won the triple crown.[17]

Ayón was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Round, in the first week of the playoffs, in the 2014–15 season,[18] and in week nine of the regular season of the 2015–16 season.[18]

On January 4, 2016, Ayón was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month, for December 2015.[18] On May 6, 2016, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team, for the 2015–16 EuroLeague season.[18] In May 2016, he was named the Player of the Month in the Spanish Liga ACB.[19]

On July 14, 2016, Ayón signed a new three-year contract with Real Madrid.[18]

In May 2018, Real Madrid won the 2017–18 EuroLeague championship, after defeating Fenerbahçe Doğuş in the final game with 85–80.[20] Over 17 EuroLeague games, Ayón averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

In June 2018, Ayón helped guide Real Madrid to the 2017-18 ACB Spanish League Championship by defeating Kirolbet Baskonia.[21]

In June 2019, Ayón helped lead Real Madrid to the 2018-19 ACB Spanish League Championship by defeating FC Barcelona Lassa[22]

Russia

On July 26, 2019, Ayón signed a one-year deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg of the VTB United League and the EuroLeague.[23] He averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Ayón parted ways with the team on July 26, 2020.[24]

Return to Mexico

On September 30, 2020, Ayón signed with Astros de Jalisco of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.[25]

Puerto Rico

On September 19, 2021, Ayón signed with Capitanes de Arecibo.[26]

Ayón led the Capitanes de Arecibo to the Championship of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) of Puerto Rico. This latest championship is the 16th professional championship for Ayón.[27]

On August 20, 2022, Ayón announced his initial retirement from professional basketball.,[28] however, in April 2023 he announced that he would come out of retirement to play for Venados de Mazatlán[2]

National team career

Ayón has been a member of the senior Mexican national basketball team since 2007. He played center for the seventh placed Mexicans at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, and the fifth placed team at the 2008 Centrobasket.[1]

In 2013, Ayón led Mexico to victory in the gold medal game against Puerto Rico at the FIBA Americas Championship. Ayón was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was named the MVP of the tournament.[29]

In August 2014, Ayón led Mexico to victory in the gold medal game against Puerto Rico at the 2014 Centrobasket. Ayón was named the MVP of the tournament.[30] Later that month, he joined Mexico for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

In 2015, Ayón was named to the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship All-Tournament Team, after tallying 17.7 points per game (2nd in the tournament), 12.4 rebounds per game (1st in the tournament), 3.5 assists per game (7th in the tournament), 1.3 steals per game (3rd in the tournament), and 1.2 blocks per game (1st in the tournament).

In June 2018, Ayón helped lead Mexico to a 78-70 victory over Team USA in 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas)[31]

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  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high
† Denotes seasons in which Ayón won the EuroLeague

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 New Orleans 542420.1.536.000.6194.91.41.0.95.9
2012–13 Orlando 43313.3.536–.5003.31.4.3.33.6
2012–13 Milwaukee 12013.6.595–.0834.91.0.8.34.3
2013–14 Atlanta 261416.5.510–.4004.81.11.0.44.3
Career 1354116.7.536.000.5044.41.3.7.54.7

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Milwaukee 302.3.500.000.000.0.0.0.01.3
Career 302.3.500.000.000.0.0.0.01.3

EuroLeague
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2014–15† Real Madrid 292318.7.623.000.7944.51.91.1.68.111.7
2015–16 272726.1.622.000.6197.92.31.81.311.618.4
2016–17 363620.6.699.000.4855.22.3.9.69.813.7
2017–18† 181123.0.577.000.5815.82.81.4.89.314.2
2018–19 31619.7.669.000.5426.02.9.8.88.314.5
Career 1109721.8.639.000.5995.82.31.3.89.714.4

Domestic leagues
Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006Halcones de XalapaMexico LNBP612.8.820.000.5003.7.8.31.56.3
2007VaquerosCIBACOPA??????????
2007–08Halcones de XalapaMexico LNBP2918.6.620.000.6206.71.72.01.99.6
2008Dorados de Playa del CarmenMexico LBS??????????
2008–09Halcones de XalapaMexico LNBP4224.7.640.130.6007.82.61.21.512.0
Baloncesto FuenlabradaLiga ACB37.7.500----1.31.0.3.31.3
2009Marinos de AnzoáteguiVenezuela LPB??????????
2009–10IllescasLEB Plata824.1.811.000.6679.3.82.1.615.5
TenerifeLEB Oro2724.8.584.211.7706.81.01.91.49.7
2010–11Baloncesto FuenlabradaLiga ACB3522.1.663.000.6036.51.31.51.410.8
2011–121028.4.676.000.8088.11.61.6.615.9
2014–15Real Madrid3918.2.575--.6315.01.3.8.67.4

References
  1. "FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Men Player profile". Puertorico2009.fiba.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  2. "Gustavo Ayon comes out of retirement". basketnews.com.
  3. "Men's basketball adds 6-foot-11 Mexican all-star". sjsuspartans.com. 20 July 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  4. "Kiến Thức Bóng Rổ, Cá Độ Bóng Rổ Thabet -". May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013.
  5. "Kiến Thức Bóng Rổ, Cá Độ Bóng Rổ Thabet -". Archived from the original on 2013-11-12.
  6. "Halcones UV Xalapa, Ayon celebrate Mexican title after edging Soles in OT". Sportando.net. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  7. "Baloncesto Fuenlabrada S.A.D". Baloncestofuenlabrada.com. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  8. "Fuentes: El mexicano Gustavo Ayón firma con New Orleans - ESPN: Deportes". Espndeportes.espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  9. "Magic Acquire Gustavo Ayon From Hornets". NBA.com. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  10. "Bucks Acquire J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith from Magic". NBA.com. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  11. "Bucks Request Waivers on Gustavo Ayon". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  12. "HAWKS AWARDED GUSTAVO AYON OFF WAIVERS". NBA.com. July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  13. "Notebook: Raptors 104, Hawks 83". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  14. "GUSTAVO AYON INJURY UPDATE". NBA.com. February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  15. "Real Madrid officially signs Gustavo Ayon to a two-year deal". Sportando.com. September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  16. "Real Madrid is Euroleague champion for record ninth time!". euroleague.net. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  17. "Real Madrid make it 4 out of 4". marca.com (in Spanish). 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  18. "Latest News | EuroLeague". Euroleague Basketball. May 18, 2023.
  19. "Gustavo Ayon is MVP of the month in Spain". Eurohoops. May 24, 2016.
  20. "Real Madrid is 2018 EuroLeague champion". euroleague.net. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  21. "Luka Doncic, Real Madrid Beat Kirolbet Baskonia in 2018 ACB Championship". Bleacher Report.
  22. "Domestic league playoffs: Efes, Real wins league titles!". 18 May 2023.
  23. "Zenit shocks market, signs Ayon!". Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  24. "Zenit, Gustavo Ayon part ways". Sportando. July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  25. "Gustavo Ayon inks with Astros de Jalisco". Sportando. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  26. Skerletic, Dario (September 19, 2021). "Capitanes de Arecibo ink Gustavo Ayon". Sportando. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  27. "Equipo de Anuel AA y Gustavo Ayón, campeón en Puerto Rico". 18 November 2021.
  28. "Gustavo Ayon retires from professional basketball". 22 August 2022.
  29. "FIBA Americas 2013 championship results: Mexico takes FIBA Americas title with thrilling win over Puerto Rico". SBNation.com. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  30. Mexico wins home Centrobasket 2014
  31. "Mexico shocks USA Basketball in World Cup qualifying round". NBA.com.
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