Four-star Ayala ponders move to 2017; Syracuse in the mix

INDIANAPOLIS – Class of 2018 four-star guard Eric Ayala may be headed to college sooner than we thought.

Ayala, ranked No. 72 in the class of 2018, has enough academic credits from Putnam (Conn.) Putnam Academy to enroll this fall if he so chooses, and more than a few schools are hoping he does so.

“Syracuse is the main school that is pursuing me in 2017 but they would take me in 2018 no matter what,” Ayala said. “Other schools mention it, like Indiana, UConn, but they’d also take me in 2018.”

Helping his team secure a 7-1 record through two weeks of play on the UAA circuit, Ayala has flourished as the face of the program and is already fully engaged in the recruiting process. Not only does he need to make a decision where he wants to go, he also needs to decide when.

“I am learning more towards 2018 right now but at the end of the summer I will sit down with my family and see what I want to do,” Ayala said. “I just want an opportunity where I can make an immediate impact and where I feel comfortable at that school and where I can play my game.”

Arizona, Oregon, Miami, Kansas, Villanova, California, South Carolina and Maryland are also schools that have pursued Ayala during the process.

Syracuse has remained upfront with Ayala about their needs and the potential landing spot for Ayala at the ACC program, something that he is very intrigued by. “I just like how they work with their guards,” he stated. “The last few years, they had six guards come in and do one or two years and make an immediate impact. That just stands out to me; it is a place that I can come in and make an immediate impact.”

Ayala remains patient with the recruiting process, even though he does have to decide on if he will attend college in a few months, or remain in the 2018 class. In the meantime, he does have a visit or two in mind. “I think I want to take a visit to Oregon soon. They also mentioned about coming in for 2017. I am not sure when yet,” he said. “I am going to try and get to Syracuse, too. I don’t have any set plans though.”

If Ayala remains in the 2018 class, he will have no shortage of landing spots but the chances of a reclassification into the 2017 class look liked they received a breath of fresh air in recent weeks. Expect for Oregon and Syracuse to make another push in the coming weeks but for the Orange to have the final laugh when it comes to the commitment of Ayala as a member of the 2017 class.