Eric Ayala

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]

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]

In September 2022, Ayala signed with Keflavík of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla after originally having signed with Sopron during the summer.^[9]

In the summer of 2025, Ayala joined his alma mater's alumni basketball team, Shell Shock, in The Basketball Tournament. Ayala helped the team reach the Elite 8 before losing the Best Virginia.

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.^[10]