Former Wildcat Deandre Ayton to finally return after suspension

It’s been a long few weeks since former Wildcat Deandre Ayton last played a game, but finally after serving his suspension, he is set to return.

We’re nearly two months into the NBA season, and Deandre Ayton has still only played in just one game this year for the Phoenix Suns.

After a rather underrated and highly successful rookie season, things were looking promising for Ayton coming into the year, especially as the former Wildcat started off the year hot.

Arizona Wildcats

Starting off the season against the Sacramento Kings, Ayton would score 18 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and getting four blocks in the Suns’ dominant, 124-95 win.

Unfortunately the good news from that game and the start of the season didn’t seem to last long though, as the league had announced that Ayton would be suspended.

The NBA would officially announce the suspension as a total of 25 games due to a failed drug test. The Suns would try contesting the suspension, but nothing ever seemed to come from it.

Despite playing well in just that first game, Ayton hasn’t played since, and the wait has been agonizing!

Now after serving the full suspension without any appeal, Ayton is finally set to return, and it couldn’t come any sooner for Suns fans and us as Arizona Basketball fans as well.

While it’s hard to say what kind of impact he will have, we can’t help but think he’s going to come out hungry.

Unfortunately for Ayton, many will compare him to the NBA’s emerging star in Luka Doncic, but that’s a bit unfair considering he plays a different position, but also Doncic has been playing for the last two months, while Ayton has strictly just been working out.

The Suns will take on one of the leagues’ best teams in the Clippers on the road. We’re certain he’s going to be ready!

At Zona Zealots, we’re excited for the return of Ayton and can’t wait to see what kind of impact he has the rest of the year! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!