Eric Ayala to Remain in Class of 2018, Discusses Options

NEW YORK — Eric Ayala could have gone to college this coming fall and played at a place like Syracuse, which was recruiting him hard.

“I mean, Syracuse was really the only school that was pushing the hardest for ’17,” Ayala said this past weekend at the Under Armor Association stop. “Every school that offered me was offering for both classes but some schools mentioned that, ‘We’ll take you in ’17 but if you want to come in ’18 that’s fine, too.'”

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Putnam Science Academy (CT) and WE-R1 point guard opted to remain in the Class of 2018 and will now have a full year to make his college decision. He is ranked the No. 5 combo guard in 2018 by 247Sports.com.

“I just feel like I got a better opportunity in 2018 as far as trying to establish myself,” he said. “I just want to keep getting better. I’m not in a rush to go to college and rush the process.”

Ayala said Oregon, Miami, Syracuse, Arizona and Maryland all watched him this weekend at Basketball City. Indiana also offered Ayala on Monday, too, he said.

“I just want to see what’s out there as far as recruiting,” he said.

He broke down several schools: