kids encyclopedia robot

Gustavo Ayón facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Ayón and the second or maternal family name is Aguirre.
Quick facts for kids
Gustavo Ayón
Gustavo Ayón 14 Real Madrid Baloncesto Euroleague 20171012 (1) (cropped).jpg
Ayón with Real Madrid in 2017
Center
Personal information
Born (1985-04-01) April 1, 1985 (age 40)
Zapotan, Nayarit, Mexico
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 2006–2023
Career history
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
Career highlights and awards
  • FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2015)
  • 2× EuroLeague champion (2015, 2018)
  • BSN champion (2021)
  • 2× All-EuroLeague Second Team (2016, 2017)
  • 4× Spanish League champion (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
  • 3× Spanish Cup winner (2015–2017)
  • 2x Spanish Supercup winner (2014, 2018)
  • All-Spanish League Second Team (2016)
  • Spanish League Rising Star (2011)
  • Spanish Cup MVP (2016)
  • 2× Mexican League champion (2008, 2009)
  • Venezuelan League champion (2009)
  • FIBA AmeriCup MVP (2013)
  • Centrobasket MVP (2014)
  • CIBACOPA All-Star (2007)
  • LNBP All-Star (2009)
Medals
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
FIBA AmeriCup 1 0 1
Centrobasket 1 0 0
Total 2 0 1
Men's basketball
Representing  Mexico
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold 2013 Venezuela
Bronze 2017 Argentina
Centrobasket
Gold 2014 Tepic

Gustavo Alfonso Ayón Aguirre (born April 1, 1985) is a Mexican former professional basketball player. He played as a center, a position usually for tall players near the basket. Gustavo was a key player for the Mexican national basketball team in international games. He was recognized as one of the best players in Europe, being named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team twice.

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. During his time there, he helped his team win the National Championship. He was even named the Most Valuable Player of the Mexican College Championship Tournament.

After college, he planned to play for San Jose State University in the NCAA. However, he decided to start his professional career instead. He signed with a Mexican team called Halcones UV Xalapa.

Professional Basketball Career

Gustavo Ayon and Nene Washington at Orlando 010
Gustavo Ayon (19) of the Orlando Magic and Nenê of the Washington Wizards.

Gustavo Ayón played for many different teams throughout his career. He played in Mexico, Spain, the NBA, Russia, and Puerto Rico.

Playing in Mexico

Gustavo started his professional journey with Halcones UV Xalapa in 2006. His team finished second in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. The next season, he became a starter. He led Halcones to win two Mexican league titles in a row (2008 and 2009). 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 success in Mexico, Ayón moved to Spain in 2009. He joined Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in the Spanish League. In November 2011, he was named the ACB Player of the Month.

Playing in the NBA

In December 2011, Gustavo Ayón joined the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA. He signed a three-year contract.

In July 2012, he was traded to the Orlando Magic. Then, in February 2013, he moved to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was later waived by the Bucks in July 2013.

The Atlanta Hawks then signed him in July 2013. In February 2014, he scored a career-high 18 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, he had a shoulder injury that required surgery, ending his 2013–14 season early.

Return to Spain with Real Madrid

In September 2014, Ayón returned to Spain. He signed a two-year deal with the famous club Real Madrid. This was a very successful period for him.

  • In the 2014–15 season, Real Madrid won the EuroLeague, which is a top European basketball competition. They also won the Spanish League championship. This meant Real Madrid achieved the "triple crown" that season.
  • Ayón was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Round twice during this time.
  • In January 2016, he was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month.
  • He was also selected for the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2016.
  • In May 2018, Real Madrid won the EuroLeague championship again.
  • He helped Real Madrid win the Spanish League Championship in 2018 and 2019.

Playing in Russia

In July 2019, Ayón signed a one-year deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia. He played there for one season.

Back to Mexico and Puerto Rico

In September 2020, Ayón returned to Mexico to play for Astros de Jalisco. In September 2021, he signed with Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico. He led the Capitanes to win the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) Championship in Puerto Rico. This was his 16th professional championship!

In August 2022, Gustavo Ayón announced he was retiring from professional basketball. However, in April 2023, he played one more game for Venados de Mazatlán.

Playing for the National Team

Gustavo Ayón has been a key player for the Mexican national basketball team since 2007.

  • In 2013, he led Mexico to win the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. He was named the MVP of the tournament.
  • In August 2014, Ayón helped Mexico win the gold medal at the 2014 Centrobasket. He was also named the MVP of this tournament.
  • He played for Mexico in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
  • In 2015, he was named to the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship All-Tournament Team. He led the tournament in rebounds and blocks.
  • In June 2018, Ayón helped Mexico defeat Team USA in a World Cup qualification game.

Career Statistics

Here are some of Gustavo Ayón's statistics from his time playing in the NBA and EuroLeague.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 New Orleans 54 24 20.1 .536 .000 .619 4.9 1.4 1.0 .9 5.9
2012–13 Orlando 43 3 13.3 .536 – .500 3.3 1.4 .3 .3 3.6
Milwaukee 12 0 13.6 .595 – .083 4.9 1.0 .8 .3 4.3
2013–14 Atlanta 26 14 16.5 .510 – .400 4.8 1.1 1.0 .4 4.3
Career 135 41 16.7 .536 .000 .504 4.4 1.3 .7 .5 4.7

NBA Playoff Stats

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Milwaukee 3 0 2.3 .500 .000 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.3
Career 3 0 2.3 .500 .000 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.3

EuroLeague Stats

† Denotes seasons in which Ayón won the EuroLeague
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2014–15† Real Madrid 29 23 18.7 .623 — .794 4.5 1.9 1.1 .6 8.1 11.7
2015–16 27 27 26.1 .622 — .619 7.9 2.3 1.8 1.3 11.6 18.4
2016–17 36 36 20.6 .699* — .485 5.2 2.3 .9 .6 9.8 13.7
2017–18† 18 11 23.0 .577 — .581 5.8 2.8 1.4 .8 9.3 14.2
2018–19 31 6 19.7 .669 — .542 6.0 2.9 .8 .8 8.3 14.5
2019–20 Zenit 26 14 21.4 .596 .000 .582 5.3 2.2 1.3 .5 12.5 14.3
Career 167 117 21.4 .634 .000 .587 5.8 2.4 1.2 .7 9.9 14.4

Domestic Leagues Stats

Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006 Halcones de Xalapa Mexico LNBP 6 12.8 .820 .000 .500 3.7 .8 .3 1.5 6.3
2007 Vaqueros CIBACOPA ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2007–08 Halcones de Xalapa Mexico LNBP 29 18.6 .620 .000 .620 6.7 1.7 2.0 1.9 9.6
2008 Dorados de Playa del Carmen Mexico LBS ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2008–09 Halcones de Xalapa Mexico LNBP 42 24.7 .640 .130 .600 7.8 2.6 1.2 1.5 12.0
Baloncesto Fuenlabrada Liga ACB 3 7.7 .500 -- -- 1.3 1.0 .3 .3 1.3
2009 Marinos de Anzoátegui Venezuela LPB ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2009–10 Illescas LEB Plata 8 24.1 .811 .000 .667 9.3 .8 2.1 .6 15.5
Tenerife LEB Oro 27 24.8 .584 .211 .770 6.8 1.0 1.9 1.4 9.7
2010–11 Baloncesto Fuenlabrada Liga ACB 35 22.1 .663 .000 .603 6.5 1.3 1.5 1.4 10.8
2011–12 10 28.4 .676 .000 .808 8.1 1.6 1.6 .6 15.9
2014–15 Real Madrid 39 18.2 .575 -- .631 5.0 1.3 .8 .6 7.4

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gustavo Ayón para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Gustavo Ayón Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.