Arizona Basketball: Wildcats in the Pros, who and where are they now?

Deandre Ayton

One of the greatest players to have played at Arizona is now one of the key pieces to the Phoenix Suns long-term success. They may not make the playoffs this year, but within the next couple of years, the Suns could be a dangerous team. Currently, they are the worst team in the Western Conference and second to last worst team overall. That hasn’t stopped Deandre Ayton from having a great rookie season so far.

He has played and started in all 19 games for the Suns. Ayton is averaging 16.9 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game and 32.3 minutes per game. Plus, he is shooting 62.4% from the field and 75% from the free throw line. Let’s not forget the 11 double-doubles he has recorded. In one game he had 18 rebounds!

Ayton set many records while at Arizona and has continued to do so at the NBA level:

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1061394505251794944

Ayton is second among rookie scorers behind Luka Doncic, first in total rebounds per game and second in minutes per game behind Doncic. There have been nights when he has had a hard time getting going offensively, but that hasn’t stopped him from dishing out the rock or playing solid defense.

Being the No.1 draft pick, especially the first in Wildcat history, comes with a lot of pressure and expectations, but that hasn’t gotten to Ayton. Every night he is bringing 100% effort, whether the jumpers are falling in or not. Recently, he and Devin Booker have shown glimpses of Kobe and Shaq 2.0. Wildcat fans knew the secret with Ayton was just throw the ball inside and he will finish. The Suns are starting to learn that as well: