NEW YORK _ After months of speculation and anticipation, it's official: Deandre Ayton is headed to Phoenix.
The Suns selected Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft Thursday night at Barclays Center.
Ayton, a 7-1, 250-pound forward out of Arizona, is the first Wildcat in school history to be taken with the top pick. He's the third player from Arizona to go in the top 10 in the past five drafts, following Lauri Markkanen (No. 7 to the Bulls in 2017) and Aaron Gordon (No. 4 to the Magic in 2014).
Ayton, who was born in the Bahamas, played his final two years of high school at Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, so joining the Suns is a homecoming sorts. The 19-year-old was one of four players in college basketball last season to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds on the year (20.1 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game). Ayton also averaged 1.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds and was voted Pac-12 Player of the Year in his lone season at Arizona.
Despite some general concerns over his defense at Arizona last season, Ayton became the consensus top pick by experts in recent weeks. He's a physical force inside who also showcased some outside range, hitting 12 of 35 three-pointers in 35 games. His athleticism and long frame are his most appealing assets.
If Ayton develops defensively, he could grow into a generational talent. He joins a Suns team that won just 21 games last season and has finished over .500 just once in the past eight seasons.
