SAN MATEO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference has named its University Credit Union Men’s Basketball Player and Freshman of the Week for January 4, 2021. 
 
UCU #WCCHOOPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – JOEL AYAYI, JR., G – GONZAGA
Junior guard Joel Ayayi recorded three double-doubles in three wins for No. 1 Gonzaga during the week. He totaled 56 points, 31 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and a block in the victories. The redshirt junior made a remarkable 80.8 percent (21-of-26) of his shots from the field, including 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from three-point range.
 
Ayayi opened the week with a 17-point, 10-rebound effort in 20 minutes against Northern Arizona Monday. The following night, he matched his career-high with 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, in 27 minutes versus Dixie State. The Frenchman started conference play with 18 points and 10 boards in the win over San Francisco. Ayayi now has a conference-best four double-doubles so far this season.
 
He bumped his rebounding average to eight per game, which is tied for third in the WCC. He’s second to teammate Corey Kispert for best field goal percentage in the league at 62.2 percent. Ayayi is also Top-10 in the conference in assists per game, assist-to-turnover ratio, steals per game, and offensive rebounds per game. 
 
Showcasing top-ranked GU’s balance, Ayayi is the fifth different Bulldog selected as the UCU WCC Player of the Week.
 
Also Nominated: Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco; Tommy Kuhse, Saint Mary’s;
 
UCU #WCCHOOPS FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK – OUMAR BALLO, FR., C – GONZAGA
Freshman center Oumar Ballo enjoyed a breakout week for the top-ranked Zags, making all eight of his shots from the field in three victories. He scored a career-high 17 points on 6-of-6 shooting against Dixie State. The redshirt freshman pulled down five rebounds and had two steals in the win. For the week, Ballo averaged 7.3 points and played a total of 30 minutes.
 
Also Nominated: Jabe Mullins, Saint Mary’s
 
2020-21 UCU #WCCHOOPS Men’s Basketball Player of the Week 
January 4: Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga
December 28: Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
December 21: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
December 14: Ahmed Ali, Portland
December 7: Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga
November 30: Drew Timme, Gonzaga
 
2020-21 UCU #WCCHOOPS Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week 
January 4: Oumar Ballo, Gonzaga
December 28: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
December 21: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
December 14: Caleb Lohner, BYU
December 7: Leemet Böckler, Saint Mary’s
November 30: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga