Sadell Ayala

[FIUFanatic]

I just read the "headlines" of a pay website in rivals that I'm not registered for, where 3rd team JUCO All American SG Sadell Ayala has signed with a "Sunshine State" team. Could it be FIU? He is also from Puerto Rico, and used to be on the P.R under 21 National team with Alex Galindo....perhaps another signee? Stay tuned.....

[FIUFanatic]

It's official, according to jucojunction.com from rivals network. Ayala just signed with FIU, and joins former teammate from Puerto Rico's Junior National Team, Alex Galindo. He averaged 12.2 points a game, 6 boards, 3.2 assists per game, with 1.6 steals. All this while shooting 54% FG overall and just a bit over 40% from 3 points.....

Sadell, welcome to FIU! He was also recruited by Appalachian State, Northern Colorado,

[The OC Panther]

good pick up! He should have good chemistry with Gallindo. That gives 2 sharp shooters out on the wings.

Now if either of our 7 ft's can ball or we get insidde game from somewhere else we will be scary.

Please don't let us lose Colmenares!

[FIUBlue82]

fiufanatic said:

It's official, according to jucojunction.com from rivals network. Ayala just signed with FIU, and joins former teammate from Puerto Rico's Junior National Team, Alex Galindo. He averaged 12.2 points a game, 6 boards, 3.2 assists per game, with 1.6 steals. All this while shooting 54% FG overall and just a bit over 40% from 3 points.....

Sadell, welcome to FIU! He was also recruited by Appalachian State, Northern Colorado,

Good news. Good job Rouco.

[Quijote]

Rouco seems to be piecing together a good team for next year, adding both shooting and size. You heard it here first: FIU wins 2007 Sunbelt Football title AND 2008 Sunbelt Basketball title! I mean, tennis won already, time for our other programs to step it up right??

[FIUFanatic]

Yep. And even with having those crappy results in men's baskeball, football, soccer, and even in swimming/diving, we find ourselves now in 3rd place in the "Vic Bubas Trophy Award", as the highest rated Sun Belt program in all sports. MTSU is first, with WKU second...

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[FIUFanatic]

Another story on Sadell Ayala signing with FIU:

www.southwestiowanews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18295302&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555108&rfi=6

Ayala focuses on Golden Panthers
05/03/2007
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When it came time for Iowa Western Community College's Sadell Ayala to select a four-year school, there was plenty of interest in the Reiver All-American.

Moorhead State, Weber State, Northern Colorado and Central Arkansas, among others, expressed an interest in the sophomore.

But Ayala's focus came down to one school - Florida International, a 38,000-student institution in Miami's Dade County.


"It was simply my one and only choice," said Ayala. "I have an aunt who lives next to the campus. I will be close to (my native) Puerto Rico.

"And," added Ayala, with a hint of a smile, "there's no snow."

If Ayala had his eye on Florida International, the Golden Panthers knew full well about Ayala.

"I've know Sadell," said Florida International coach Sergio Rouco, "since he was a high school freshman. It's always exciting to watch him play. He's like (boxer) Jake LaMotta, he's going to bring it to you."

Rouco is a regular recruiter of Region XI and "I know the caliber of basketball they play. This is a good fit for both of us."

Ayala played small forward for the Reivers despite being only 6-foot-2.

"Sadell had two tremendous years for us," said Iowa Western coach Jim Morris. "He did all the little things and guarded our opponents' best player. He brought a lot of toughness to the team."

Ayala says he can see himself as either a guard or forward at Florida International.

"I've already played against taller opponents," said Ayala. "I want to work on my shooting, especially my 3-point shots. There's always room to improve, but I have a big heart to play defense."

Florida International, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, is coming off a 12-17 season.

"Sadell fills out a great recruiting class," said Rouco. "He's a small forward for us. He's always played bigger. He makes people match his intensity and toughness."

Academically, Ayala wants to get into sports management and coaching.

Ayala's signing continues an Iowa Western tradition under Morris.

Every Reiver sophomore who has wished to continue playing basketball in college has gotten a scholarship at a four-year school.