Mexico's Ayon signs for Real Madrid

Gustavo Ayon (MEX). USA vs Mexico, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Barcelona (Spain), Day 8, Round of 16, USA vs Mexico, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Barcelona (Spain), Round of 16 , 6 September 2014

MADRID (Liga Endesa/Euroleague) - Gustavo Ayon excelled for Mexico in their first FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance in 40 years, helping the country advance from the Group Phase.

His 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds over the course of six games must have convinced Real Madrid he could help their cause in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the Liga Endesa because the Spanish giants have signed the 2.07m power forward/center to a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old's arrival at Real marks the second time in his career that Ayon will play for a club in Madrid.

He first suited up for Fuenlabrada in the 2008-09 season and his last game with the team came in December of 2011, when the then New Orleans Hornets paid a buyout and agreed terms with him on a three-year contract.

In addition to playing for New Orleans, Ayon had spells in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks.

A shoulder injury cut short his 2013-14 campaign with Atlanta but he battled back to fitness to play at Spain 2014.

Ayon enhanced his reputation while playing for Mexico at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela, where he led the team to the title for the first time. He was named the MVP of the tournament.

At the recently completed FIBA Basketball World Cup, he had some outstanding performances.

He was particularly impressive in Group D games against Slovenia (23 points), Angola (17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks) and Australia (11 points, 9 rebounds), and then in the Round of 16 against the eventual champions, USA (25 points and 9 rebounds).

Ayon's 61 percent shooting was fourth best among all players, and his scoring average had him tied for eighth. His per game efficiency rating of 19.2 was seventh best overall.

FIBA