Gonzaga guard Michael Ajayi committed to Butler Monday, according to insider Adam Zagoria. The 6’7” senior from Kent, Washington, is headed to Indianapolis after averaging 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game for the Bulldogs.
Ajayi transferred to Gonzaga after one year with Pepperdine, where he averaged 17.2 points, the most in the West Coast Conference, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
Gonzaga Senior Guard Michael Ajayi Headed to Butler
Ajayi is the third player headed to Butler through the portal this offseason, following Jalen Johnson of Purdue Fort Wayne and Yame Butler of Drexel.
He started his collegiate career at Pierce College, where he led the team in scoring two years running, averaging 20.4 and 22.7 points per game, following only one year of varsity basketball at Kentwood High School in Kent.
Gonzaga transfer guard Michael Ajayi commits to Butler | Zagsblog https://t.co/KilbO2a6vY
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 7, 2025
Ajayi, who’s been nicknamed “Mr. Everything,” is known for his defensive ability and energy. While a capable scorer, it’s unlikely he’ll run the offense.
But with Butler losing a plethora of top players, including four of their top five scorers — wings Jahmyl Telfort, Pierre Brooks II, and Fran McCaffery, and center Andre Screen — to eligibility, and forward Augusto Cassia to the portal, Ajayi could find himself playing significant minutes.
The Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the Big East with a 6-14 record and 15-20 overall, including a second-round loss in the College Basketball Crown to Boise State — after beating Utah in a nailbiter in the first round.
They were eliminated in the Big East tournament quarterfinal by St. John’s after pulling off a win against Providence in the first round.
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Now, Ajayi will try to help the Bulldogs make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2018 under head coach LaVall Jordan. The Bulldogs have had only two seasons over .500 since 2020 — when postseason play was canceled due to COVID — and 2024, where they received an NIT bid.
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