Top NBA Draft pick Ayton to work in making Suns rise again
THE Phoenix Suns have had it rough in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the last decade, missing the playoffs eight straight times, punctuated by a league-worst 21-61 record in the just-concluded season. But the team could potentially see progress for the better moving forward after picking in the recent rookie draft local fan favorite Deandre Ayton, who in turn vowed to work hard and make Phoenix rise again.
Speaking to global media via a Cisco conference call following the NBA Draft on June 22 (Manila time), Mr. Ayton, 19, said he is very thrilled to be playing for the Suns, having played high school and collegiate basketball in the Arizona area and seeing it as an opportunity to showcase what he is capable of doing as a player.
“It’s a blessing. It’s a dream come true. I worked hard for this. My expectation is I know it’s a hungry team I am joining. And I want to start a winning legacy. To help make Phoenix the best team it can be and me to become the best two-way player that I can be in the NBA,” said Mr. Ayton, who played at the University of Arizona for one year and posted solid numbers of 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 35 games for the Wildcats.
“I think it’s amazing. From high school to college I was here in Arizona. These fans know what I have been through. They have seen it all. It means a lot to me. They are the best fans in the world,” he added.
Proud to have been selected first overall in the draft, the seven-foot center Ayton said he is not putting much weight into it, knowing that he still needs to learn the ropes in the NBA like any other freshman.
He went on to say that he will let his work speak for himself and work on improving his craft.
“I will let my work do the talking. I will let my work ethic speak first before I come in and just think I’m the guy as the number one pick. It doesn’t mean anything. Once you step on the court you have to show respect for the guys that came before you and learn from them,” said Mr. Ayton.
As for his tandem with explosive guard Devin Booker in the Valley of Sun, Mr. Ayton said the potential of it is very promising with the kind of skills set the two of them have.
“Playing next to Devin Booker, [our] two-man game can be deadly. Pick-and-roll, pick-and-pop, I think it’s going to be amazing to watch the two of us. He is a great shooter,” he said.
After Mr. Ayton was selected first in the draft, Marvin Bagley of Duke University was picked second by the Sacramento Kings, followed by European League player Luka Doncic by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. Michigan State was fourth by the Memphis Grizzlies with Oklahoma’s Trae Young coming in at fifth for Dallas before moving to Atlanta for Mr. Doncic.
Mohamed Bamba was sixth ( Orlando), Wendell Carter seventh ( Chicago), Collin Sexton eighth (Cleveland), Kevin Knox ninth ( New York) and Mikal Bridges 10th ( Philadelphia before being traded to Phoenix) completed the top 10 picks. —