ASU great Jeff Ayres to Sun Devil Hall of Fame

A call from Arizona State AD Graham Rossini was not something Jeff Ayres expected this morning.

Sun Devil great Jeff Ayres meeting with media this morning.

He got a phone call from @GrahamRossini today letting him know he is a part of Sun Devil Athletics’ hall of fame class this year. pic.twitter.com/N8DM8qZyn2

— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) June 4, 2025

“I’m still getting goosebumps and speechless by it,” Ayres said. “It’s been something I’ve thought about for a while, just to cement the legacy that I’ve had here and be able to take my kids to the Hall of Fame over there and show them my pictures…It’s going to be so cool and just to know that it’s always there is really special. The school’s really special to me, big part of my life, huge impact on me, and to be able to be recognized and be part of this forever…is really special.”

His 942 career rebounds (7.5 per game) is second on the career list and he’s the only player in school history to lead ASU in rebounding for four straight seasons.

“I feel like my legacy was that I came in and played hard,” Ayres. “I wore the jersey and the maroon and gold with pride. I stuck it out the whole four years. I was the only senior out of everyone who came in with me. To see the whole journey through, that was something that’s really important to me and I think would be part of my legacy.”

Ayres also led nation in field goal percentage and set the school record his senior year when he shot 66% (198/300 FG) from the field.

“So well deserved,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said. “I was fortunate to be able to be around him quite a bit over the last number of years and he’s always very willing to come back and give back and spend time with the current roster. That ambitious young guy that thinks he’s really good, when Jeff will play against him, Jeff usually kicks the sh*t out of them and let’s them know about it…As good of a player as Jeff was and what he meant to the program…just the person he is. The champion he is. Father. Great family person.” 

The future Arizona State HOFer and 2014 NBA Champion couldn’t contain his excitement when asked about fellow Sun Devil Luguentz Dort in the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder:

“Enjoy the moment.”#ASU Jeff Ayres advice to @luthebeast on being in the #NBAFinals@Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/IVpYkZOy5A

— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) June 4, 2025

Playing alongside James Harden at ASU was just the beginning of a long career working with superstars for Ayres.

Being around players like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Kawhi Leonard and of course one of the greatest basketball minds of all time in Gregg Popovich – Ayres knows what championship basketball looks like.

“There’s a reason why certain guys get success,” Ayres said. “He’s a great team player, great character guy. He came into school and did his thing and he’s doing the same thing there. He didn’t bring in an ego. He humbled himself, bought into the Thunder program and the guys that they had there and they’re embracing him. Now he’s thriving. I’m not surprised at all.”

He’s played professionally overseas since 2016 – and he’s still hooping! Not to mention his stint in the Big 3.

“I think [ASU’s] underrated as a program,” Ayres said. “That’s how we move. We’re used to being underrated…when we are successful, everybody else is surprised but us.”