Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi named finalist for Jerry West Award

Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi has been named a finalist for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award.

Ayayi, a 6-foot-5 junior guard from France, is joined by Baylor’s MaCio Teague, Houston’s Quentin Grimes, Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp and Oregon’s Chris Duarte.

Ayayi recorded the first triple-double in program history with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists against Portland. His 14 assists rank second on GU’s single-game list. Ayayi’s 18 rebounds vs. Iowa were the most by a Zags guard since the program joined Division I in 1958-59.

Ayayi averages 11.3 points and 7.1 rebounds, the latter fourth in the West Coast Conference. His 2.19 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks fourth.

Past West Award winners include Seton Hall’s Myles Powell in 2020, Duke’s RJ Barrett in 2019 and Purdue’s Carsen Edwards in 2018.

Fans can vote at hoophallawards.com beginning Friday.