Deandre Ayton named Pac-12 Player of the Week and No.1 in Sports Illustrated Mock Draft 2.0

Arizona Wildcats freshman sensation DeAndre Ayton was named Pac-12 Player of the Week and moved up to the No.1 spot in Sports Illustrated’s NBA Mock Draft 2.0.

Another one! Arizona Wildcats seven-foot, five-star “once in a lifetime”standout from Nassau, Bahamas earned himself another accolade, Pac-12 Player of the Week. DeAndre Ayton becomes the second Wildcat player to earn this award this soon in the 2017 season.

Allonzo Trier earned the award in the first week of the college basketball season. Zo and Ayton – what a duo! As if things couldn’t get any better for Ayton, he was also named to the No.1 spot in Sport’s Illustrated’s NBA Mock Draft 2.0.

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When you watch Ayton the first time in person or on television your jaw drops. The things he does on the hardwood is mind-boggling.  Fade away jumps shots, three-point shots, finding the open teammate out of a double team, grabbing rebounds like a MAN and dunks that are just on another level. These are the acts of one man and one man only, Ayton aka Dr. Dre!

There are few athletes in our generation that have this natural god given ability to do perform at a ridiculous level, and Ayton is one of those. Thank goodness for the one and done rule in college basketball. It has given Wildcat fans the opportunity to witness greatness. Okay, I’m done, for now. Now about the present moment.

In the last two games Ayton has played, his stats speak for themselves. Not only has he put up big numbers, but Ayton is also the reason why the Wildcats have won two consecutive games, including the big time overtime win against the UNLV Rebels.

Against the Rebels, Ayton stepped up hugely during crucial moments of the game. From gaining inside position for an easy dunk to backing up his opponent and shooting a sweet looking jump shot to putbacks around the rim to even a quick touch pass to Dylan Smith for three, Ayton’s maturity level is beyond his years.

This season, Ayton already has put up five consecutive double-doubles, becoming the first player in Wildcat history to do that! The current record for most in a season is held by Al Fleming at 12 – that will surely get passed! What other records will Ayton surpass? We will have to wait in see. It’s a safe bet to say though that much more will be in jeopardy!

Many may not agree with this next statement, but the things he is doing, and at the pace he is doing them Ayton can become the GREATEST player in Wildcat history. The impact he has on the game is what makes him so unique. And when he moves on to the NBA, he will surely have the same.

Something to think about: The way things are playing out now in the NBA, he could very wellbeing playing alongside Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls. Imagine that! Two seven-footers on the same team with tremendous upside – wow!

Must Read: Arizona Basketball: Wildcats win a HUGE game in overtime against the UNLV Rebels

At Zona Zealots, we are extremely proud of Deandre Ayton earning Pac-12 Player of the week as well as moving up to No.1 on Sports Illustrated NBA Mock Draft 2.0.  The way things are going, this will be one year you won’t want to miss. Bear Down!