If you paid attention to the FIBA U18 Euro Championships this summer, it would have been impossible to miss a string of strong performances from redshirt freshman Joel Ayayi as he led France to a third-place finish while earning a place on the All-Tournament team.
For the dynamic point guard, getting a taste of success under the pressure of performing for his national team validates the developmental efforts he made while redshirting last season. That success should also give him confidence entering a season where the biggest question mark on the roster is one he could play a part in addressing.