No. 1 DeAndre Ayton
The Harasser, The Dominator, Dr. Dre, D-Rex. He goes by many names, but everyone knows him as DeAndre Ayton! There are certain players in our lifetime that are gifted with the special ability to do extraordinary things, Ayton is one those.
He is listed as a 7-foot, 220-pound power forward – a power he does have! Ayton is the highest listed recruit to play for Arizona and is promising great things this season:
Our time is coming! #BearDown
— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) August 22, 2017
Even the great Lute Olson is impressed:
"Oh, he's unbelievable" - Lute Olson on @RealDeandreAy. Olson says he watched Ayton hit 10 threes in a row at practice. pic.twitter.com/zQEAQebItW
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 12, 2017
Before the Wildcats trip to Spain, Coach Sean Miller had some great things to say about Ayton during the latest press conference:
"The headliner is DeAndre. Never seen anyone like him at his age, I don’t think I will again because he is so physically imposing. He is as strong and as gifted running for somebody that size that I have worked with and he loves the game. He really competes and loves to win."
Ayton’s last two years of high school basketball were played at Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, where he put up some ridiculous numbers – 27 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks per game! Ayton even led Hillcrest to their first ever championship in school history!
https://twitter.com/RealDeandreAy/status/888576708541952000
He was also selected to take part in the 2017 McDonald’s All American. Ayton put eight bounds, 11 rebounds and three steals during the game.
Earlier in the year, Ayton was also invited to play in the Jordan Brand Classic XXXI, where he finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. Also, he worked on One-on-One post drills with fellow McDonald’s All American and five star class of 2017 Texas Longhorn commit Mohamed Bamba while at the event – the strength Ayton has is HULK like!
In the Wildcat’s most recent outing in Spain, Ayton scored 10 points and had nine rebound game against Combined Valenciano. The second game against Mataro All-Stars he had 18 points and ten rebounds – the first of many double doubles he will have this season!
Ayton’s strong baseline two handed dunk he made while in Spain gives Wildcat fans a sneak peak of what’s in store for this season:
Two hands from @RealDeandreAy on this dunk in Valencia. #ArizonaInEspana 🇪🇸🏀 pic.twitter.com/EPqBDxi2Bi
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) August 14, 2017
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Hope you enjoyed my top eight Wildcat players that went to high school in the state of Arizona. Please let us know your thoughts and comments on the list. As the years go by, this list is sure to change. And as always, BEAR DOWN!