Josh Ajayi
SLUC Nancy Basket
PositionSmall forward
LeagueLNB Pro B
Personal information
Born (1996-12-27) December 27, 1996
Abuja, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021Hermine Nantes
2021–presentSLUC Nancy Basket
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Sun Belt (2020)
  • Second-team All-Sun Belt (2019)

Ifeoluwa Joshua Ajayi (born December 27, 1996) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for SLUC Nancy Basket of the LNB Pro B. He played college basketball for South Alabama.

Early life and high school career

Ajayi attended San Gabriel Academy where he averaged a double-double his final two seasons. He averaged 16.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game as a junior. Ajayi did a postgraduate year at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game and earned Class AA Honorable Mention All-New England honors from the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Ajayi signed with South Alabama out of high school.[1]

College career

Ajayi redshirted his true freshman season as a partial academic qualifier.[1] He averaged 10.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a redshirt freshman, and he scored 27 points against FIU.[2] As a sophomore, Ajayi averaged 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.[3] Ajayi averaged 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a junior, shooting 56 percent from the floor. He earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors.[4] On November 12, 2019, Ajayi was named Sun Belt player of the week after posting a career-high 30 points as well as seven rebounds in a 75-69 victory over Southern Miss.[5] He was again named conference player of the week on January 20, 2020, after posting 24 points in a 74-68 win over Georgia Southern.[6] As a senior, Ajayi averaged 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, helping the Jaguars finish 20-11, and led the conference with a 56.2 field goal percentage.[7] He was named to the First Team All-Sun Belt as well as First-Team All-District by the NABC.[8][7]

Professional career

On June 29, 2020, Ajayi signed his first professional contract with Hermine Nantes of the French LNB Pro B.[8] He averaged 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. On July 8, 2021, Ajayi signed with SLUC Nancy Basket.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Reed, Taren (August 14, 2015). "Men's Baseball Marks Final 2 Additions to 2015-16 Roster". NBC 15. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. ↑ "JAGUAR MEN'S BASKETBALL POSITION PREVIEW – FORWARDS". South Alabama Jaguars. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  3. ↑ McLaughlin, Will (November 6, 2018). "Game Preview and Open Thread - Auburn vs. South Alabama". College and Magnolia. SB Nation. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  4. ↑ Stephenson, Craig (September 27, 2019). "South Alabama basketball 'chasing greatness' as preseason practice begins". Al.com. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ Stephenson, Craig (November 12, 2019). "South Alabama's Josh Ajayi honored by Sun Belt Conference". Al.com. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  6. ↑ Stephenson, Craig (January 20, 2020). "South Alabama's Josh Ajayi named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week". Al.com. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "USA men's basketball senior Josh Ajayi named first-team all-district by NABC". Fox 10. March 23, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Stephenson, Craig (June 29, 2020). "Former South Alabama star Josh Ajayi signs with French pro team". Al.com. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Nancy sign Josh Ajayi". Eurobasket. July 8, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
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