Deandre Ayton

Deandre Ayton is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Suns, becoming just the fourth player to be drafted out of high school since 2005.

Ayton was born on July 23, 1998, in Nassau, The Bahamas. He moved to San Diego at an early age and attended Balboa Prep Academy before transferring to Hillcrest Prep Academy. At Hillcrest Prep he was one of the top rated prospects in his class and led them to a national championship victory in 2016. After his senior year at Hillcrest Prep he declared for the 2018 NBA Draft and became just one of four players taken from high school since 2005.

The Phoenix Suns selected him with their first overall pick making him their third consecutive number one pick joining Devin Booker in 2015 and Josh Jackson in 2017. In his rookie season Ayton averaged 16 points per game along with 10 rebounds while becoming only fifth rookie ever to have 20+ points/10+ rebounds averages; Shaquille O’Neal being one that came before him as well as Elton Brand, Tim Duncan and Chris Webber who are all Hall-of-Famers or future Hall-of-Famers. He also started all 82 games averaging 1 block per game which earned him an All Rookie Team selection by unanimous decision making it an unprecedented feat among rookies getting that honor every season they’ve played so far (2018–2021).

In 2021 he achieved career highs across multiple categories including 30 points/12 rebounds/4 assists against Milwaukee Bucks on April 17th 2021 establishing himself as a force down low; setting a new single game record for most 3 made by 7 footers (6 3’s) against Dallas Mavericks on March 6th 2021 making big strides towards becoming more diverse offensively; earning Player Of The Week honors after week 27 where he put up two back to back triple doubles against Portland Trailblazers & Memphis Grizzlies respectively capping off a fantastic month averaging 24pts/13rebounds/3assists during that stretch announcing himself as legit franchise cornerstone for years come

looking ahead into future Deandre Ayton appears poised become leader not only within Phoenix Suns organization but leaguewide having proven time & time again throughout young promising career thus far cementing status potential star caliber talent can make tremendous impact both ends court en route helping his team reach heights never seen before