Gustavo Ayón facts for kids
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Ayón with the Real Madrid in 2017.
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| Born | April 1, 1985 Zapotan, Nayarit, Mexico |
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| Nationality | Mexican / Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Vincent Memorial Catholic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2007 / Undrafted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2006–2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2006–2009 | Halcones de Xalapa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | →Vaqueros de Agua Prieta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | →Dorados de Playa del Carmen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Fuenlabrada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | →Marinos de Anzoátegui | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | →Illescas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | →Tenerife | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | New Orleans Hornets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Orlando Magic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Milwaukee Bucks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Atlanta Hawks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2019 | Real Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Astros de Jalisco | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Capitanes de Arecibo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Venados de Mazatlán | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gustavo Alfonso Ayón Aguirre (born April 1, 1985) is a former professional basketball player from Mexico. He was a key player for the Mexican national team in many international games. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, he played as a center. Ayón was chosen twice for the All-EuroLeague Second Team, which means he was one of the best players in Europe's top league.
Contents
Early Life and College Basketball
Gustavo Ayón was born on April 1, 1985. He went to the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla in Mexico for three years of college. During his time there, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Mexican College Championship Tournament. He led his team to win the National Championship.
After this success, he planned to play for San Jose State University in the NCAA Division I in the United States. However, Ayón decided to sign with a professional team in Mexico instead. This team was called Halcones UV Xalapa.
Professional Basketball Career
Gustavo Ayón had a long and successful career playing basketball around the world. He played in Mexico, Spain, the United States (NBA), Russia, and Puerto Rico.
Playing in Mexico
In 2006, Ayón started his professional career with Halcones UV Xalapa. The team finished second in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. The next season, Ayón became a starter. He helped Halcones win two Mexican league titles in a row, in 2007–08 and 2008–09. In his last game for the team, he scored 24 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. This amazing performance helped his team win their second championship.
Playing in Spain
After his time in Mexico, Ayón moved to Spain. He signed with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in the Spanish League in 2009. In November 2011, he was named the ACB Player of the Month. This showed he was one of the best players in the league.
Playing in the NBA
In December 2011, Ayón joined the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA. He signed a three-year contract.
He was later traded to the Orlando Magic in July 2012. This was part of a "sign-and-trade" deal, where one player is signed and then immediately traded.
In February 2013, Ayón was traded again, this time to the Milwaukee Bucks. He played alongside other guards and forwards.
The Bucks decided to let him go in July 2013. A few days later, the Atlanta Hawks picked him up. On February 12, 2014, Ayón scored his career-high 18 points in an NBA game. However, he had to miss the rest of the 2013–14 season due to a shoulder injury that needed surgery.
Return to Spain with Real Madrid
On September 23, 2014, Ayón returned to Spain. He signed a two-year deal with the famous club Real Madrid.
- 2014–15 Season: Real Madrid had an amazing season. They won the EuroLeague, which is Europe's top basketball competition. They also won the Spanish League championship. By winning both, plus the Spanish Cup, Real Madrid achieved the "triple crown." This means they won the three biggest titles in European basketball that season. Ayón was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Round during the playoffs.
- 2015–16 Season: Ayón continued to play well. He was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month in December 2015. He was also selected for the All-EuroLeague Second Team for the 2015–16 season. In May 2016, he was named the Player of the Month in the Spanish Liga ACB.
- Later Years with Real Madrid: On July 14, 2016, Ayón signed a new three-year contract with Real Madrid. In May 2018, Real Madrid won the 2017–18 EuroLeague championship again. Ayón helped Real Madrid win the Spanish League Championship in both 2018 and 2019.
Playing in Russia
On July 26, 2019, Ayón signed a one-year deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia. He played in the VTB United League and the EuroLeague. He left the team in July 2020.
Back to Mexico and Puerto Rico
After Russia, Ayón returned to Mexico. On September 30, 2020, he signed with Astros de Jalisco.
On September 19, 2021, Ayón moved to Puerto Rico to play for Capitanes de Arecibo. He led them to win the Championship of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) in Puerto Rico. This was his 16th professional championship!
On August 20, 2022, Ayón announced he was retiring from professional basketball. However, in April 2023, he decided to play again for Venados de Mazatlán.
National Team Career
Gustavo Ayón has been a very important player for the senior Mexican national basketball team since 2007.
- 2013 FIBA Americas Championship: Ayón led Mexico to win the gold medal against Puerto Rico. He was named to the All-Tournament Team and was also named the MVP of the tournament.
- 2014 Centrobasket: In August 2014, Ayón again led Mexico to a gold medal victory over Puerto Rico. He was named the MVP of this tournament as well. Later that month, he played for Mexico in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
- 2015 FIBA Americas Championship: Ayón was named to the All-Tournament Team again. He was a top player in many areas, leading the tournament in rebounds and blocks.
- 2018 FIBA World Cup Qualification: In June 2018, Ayón helped Mexico win a key game against Team USA during the qualification rounds for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Images for kids
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Gustavo Ayón playing for Real Madrid in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Gustavo Ayón para niños
