Joel Ayayi

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme shoots while pressured by Pacific forward Jordan Bell, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Timme scores 22, leads No. 1 Gonzaga over Pacific 95-49

By Nicholas K. Geranios Jan. 24, 2021 12:14 AM EST

Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi (11) makes a basket past Saint Mary's Kyle Bowen (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Moraga, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

No. 1 Gonzaga overcomes slow start, beats Saint Mary's 73-59

By Janie Mccauley Jan. 17, 2021 12:45 AM EST

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs brings the ball up against Gonzaga during the first half of an NCAA basketball game in Moraga, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Gonzaga Bulldogs at Saint Mary's Gaels 1/16/2021

Jan. 16, 2021 10:52 PM EST

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) shoots while pressured by Pepperdine forward Kene Chukwuka (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

No. 1 Gonzaga beats Pepperdine 95-70, runs win streak to 17

By Nicholas K. Geranios Jan. 15, 2021 12:11 AM EST

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) and guard Franz Wagner (21) react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 84-73. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

No. 7 Michigan faces stiff test against 2 ranked opponents

By John Marshall Jan. 12, 2021 02:25 AM EST

Baylor guard MaCio Teague (31) tries to go up for a shot between TCU forward Chuck O'Bannon Jr. (5) and center Kevin Samuel (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/ Richard W. Rodriguez)

Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; UConn in at No. 25

By John Marshall Jan. 11, 2021 12:05 PM EST

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs, center, drives to the basket on Portland guard Takiula Fahrensohn, left, as Portland forward Mikey Henn, right, watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

Ayayi gets Zags' 1st ever triple-double in rout of Portland

By Anne M. Peterson Jan. 09, 2021 11:09 PM EST

San Francisco guard Jamaree Bouyea (1) shoots over Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Kispert leads No. 1 Gonzaga past San Francisco 85-62

By Nicholas K. Geranios Jan. 02, 2021 10:19 PM EST

Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Dixie State in Spokane, Wash., Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Kispert, Ayayi lead No. 1 Gonzaga over Dixie State 112-67

By Nicholas K. Geranios Dec. 29, 2020 11:02 PM EST

Northern Arizona guard Cameron Shelton (20) shoots next to Gonzaga center Oumar Ballo (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Ayayi leads No. 1 Gonzaga over Northern Arizona 88-58

By Nicholas K. Geranios Dec. 28, 2020 11:10 PM EST

Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi, left, shoots next to Northern Arizona guard Cameron Shelton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Gonzaga Bulldogs 12/28/2020

Dec. 28, 2020 09:48 PM EST

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes talks to his team during a timeout during an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee Tech, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/USA TODAY Sports via AP, Pool)

Teams led by experienced players have edge amid pandemic

By Aaron Beard Dec. 22, 2020 11:48 AM EST

West Virginia's Derek Culver goes to the basket against Gonzaga's Drew Timme during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat No. 11 West Virginia 87-82

By Michael Marot Dec. 02, 2020 09:44 PM EST

FILE - In this March 9, 2020, file photo, Gonzaga's Corey Kispert plays against San Francisco during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the West Coast Conference men's tournament in Las Vegas. Kispert has made The Associated Press 2020-21 preseason All-America team, announced Wednesday, Nov. 11. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File)

Kispert, Ayayi lead No. 1 Gonzaga's quest for national title

By Nicholas K. Geranios Nov. 13, 2020 03:00 PM EST

FILE - Virginia head coach Tony Bennett directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., in this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, file photo. Virginia will begin the college basketball season at No. 4 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Nov. 9, 2020.(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time

By Dave Skretta Nov. 09, 2020 12:01 PM EST

Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert returning for senior season

Aug. 03, 2020 01:39 PM EDT
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Corey Kispert will not pursue professional options and is returning to Gonzaga for his senior season. Kispert's...

Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi to return for junior season

Aug. 01, 2020 03:06 PM EDT
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi is withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and will return for his junior decision. The...