Magic Acquire Gustavo Ayon From Hornets

July 11, 2012 Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired forward-center Gustavo Ayón (goo-STA-voh eye-OWN) from New Orleans in exchange for forward Ryan Anderson in a sign-and-trade deal, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Ayón (6’10”, 245, 4/1/85) played in 54 games last season with the Hornets, averaging 5.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 20.1 minpg., while shooting a team-high .536 (140-261) from the field during his rookie campaign. He started in 24 games, averaging 8.3 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 2.0 apg., 1.38 stlpg. and 1.08 blkpg. in 28.5 minpg. during that span. Ayón ranked in the top ten among all NBA rookies in field goal percentage (second), rebounding (fifth), blocked shots (fifth, 0.85 blkpg.) and steals (seventh, 0.98 stlpg.). Ayón led (or tied) the Hornets in rebounding nine times and in assists twice last season. He scored in double figures 11 times, including a career-high 16 points twice, the last time on Mar. 15 vs. Washington. Ayón also pulled down 10+ rebounds five times and recorded two double-doubles. He tallied a career-high 17 rebounds on Feb. 22 @ Cleveland. Originally signed as a free agent by New Orleans on Dec. 21, 2011, Ayón is the third Mexican-born player in NBA history (Horacio Llamas, Eduardo Najera). Prior to joining the Hornets, he played two seasons (2009-11) in Spain with Fuenlabrada of the ACB League, Spain’s top division, which is widely regarded as the best domestic league outside of the NBA. Ayón was named the 2010-11 ACB “Best Newcomer” after averaging 10.8 ppg. and 6.3 rpg. in 22.6 minpg. He also played professionally in Mexico for three seasons (2006-09) with Halcones de Xalapa, leading them to back-to-back championships in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Ayón was a member of the Mexican National Team in 2009. Anderson (6’10”, 240, 5/6/88) played and started in 61 games last season with the Magic, averaging career-highs of 16.1 ppg. and 7.7 rpg. in 32.2 minpg. He shot .393 (166-422) from three-point range and .877 (150-171) from the free throw line. Anderson led the NBA in both three point field goals made and attempted, and captured the 2011-12 NBA Most Improved Player award.