No.1 can be a star in time

AUSSIE hopes were dashed, but the next generation of NBA stars took their first steps into the limelight at yesterday’s draft.

The likes of Melbourne’s Deng Adel, Geelong’s Jock Landale and Ballarat’s Xavier Cooks will have to find another avenue to the world’s best league as the Phoenix Suns came away as big winners.

The Suns nabbed DeAndre Ayton with the first pick and then added Villanova swingman Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for No.16 pick Zhaire Smith and a 2021 first rounder.

Ayton says he will take time to learn his craft before he can impact the game like 2016-17 No.1 pick Ben Simmons, but is expected to be a star.

The 216cm 118kg giant said Simmons, who is the favourite to next week win Rookie of the Year, had the advantage of watching his first NBA season from the sidelines after suffering a fractured foot.

“I wouldn’t say straight away,” Ayton said, when asked if he would impact the game in the same fashion.

No.2 pick Marvin Bagley III described his name being called to join De’Aaron Fox at the Sacramento Kings as an “out-of-body experience”.

In one of the biggest moves, Atlanta drafted Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic and then traded him to Dallas for No.5 pick Trae Young and a 2019 first rounder.

The 19-year-old, who won almost every title and individual award in Europe, is excited about learning under the tutelage of legendary German Dirk Nowitzki.

While Orlando’s No.6 pick Mo Bamba cannot wait to play against LeBron James, Cleveland’s No.8 pick Collin Sexton just wants him to stay.

“Lebron, let’s make history, let’s do it,” Sexton said.