Eric Ayala
Eric Ayala (born January 2, 1999) is a Puerto Rican college basketball player for the Maryland Terrapins of the Big Ten Conference.
![]() Ayala with Maryland in 2022 | |
No. 5 – Maryland Terrapins | |
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Position | Point guard / Shooting guard |
League | Big Ten Conference |
Personal information | |
Born | January 2, 1999 |
Nationality | Puerto Rican |
Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
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College | Maryland (2018–present) |
High school career
Ayala played basketball for Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut.[1] Ayala played a postgraduate season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.[2] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Maryland over offers from Miami (Florida) and Oregon.[3]
College career

As a freshman, Ayala became a regular starter at Maryland, averaging 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.[4] In his sophomore season, he averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 35.8 percent from the field.[5] In his junior season, he became his team's primary point guard with the departure of Anthony Cowan Jr.[6] Ayala averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a junior, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, before ultimately returning.[7] Ayala was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media as a senior.[8]
National team career
Ayala represented Puerto Rico at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Argentina, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.[9]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
References
- Price, Betsy (January 13, 2021). "Sanford's Ayala takes unique journey to lead Maryland program as junior". Delaware Live. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Markus, Don (January 31, 2019). "From latchkey kid to lead guard, Maryland's Eric Ayala has always been mature for his age". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Horn, Brittany (October 14, 2017). "Wilmington native chooses Maryland for college hoops career". The News Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Markus, Don (January 14, 2020). "Maryland's Eric Ayala calm, confident despite season-long shooting slump: 'He always stays balanced'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Donohue, Pat (November 27, 2020). "Ayala ready to replace Cowan for Maryland with some help from newcomers". Rivals. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Ermann, Jeff (September 30, 2020). "Ayala on replacing Cowan, Terps roster and more". 247Sports. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- Rosh, Lauren (April 9, 2021). "Maryland basketball's Eric Ayala enters NBA Draft, will retain eligibility". Testudo Times. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- "2021-22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- Myers, Brad (June 16, 2015). "Sanford's Eric Ayala excels on international stage". The News Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.