Deandre Ayton
The first overall pick who helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals since 1993.
Deandre Ayton, selected with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, was the franchise's first No. 1 pick in their history. He played one season of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019. In 2021, he helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a 3-team trade in 2023 that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Center
- League
- NBA
- Team
- Washington Wizards
- Born
- 23 July 1998
- Birthplace
- Nassau, The Bahamas
- High school
- Balboa City School (San Diego, California); Hillcrest Prep Academy (Phoenix, Arizona)
- College
- Arizona (2017–2018)
- Draft round
- 1
Lore & Background
Ayton made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, plus a season-high 6 assists, in a 121–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks. This made him the first player to record those stats in a debut since Lew Alcindor in 1969. On December 29, 2018, he scored a career-high 33 points with 14 rebounds in a 122–118 loss to the Denver Nuggets. On March 27, 2019, he broke Alvan Adams' franchise rookie record for most double-doubles. He averaged a double-double as a rookie, becoming the third rookie in a decade to do so, joining Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns. On October 24, 2019, after the season opener, Ayton was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for a diuretic, violating the league's anti-drug policy. He returned from suspension on December 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reader's Guide
Deandre Ayton played for the Phoenix Suns from 2018 to 2023. He was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA draft, the franchise's first No. 1 pick. In his rookie season, he started every game he was healthy for, save one, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He averaged a double-double as a rookie, joining Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns as the only rookies in a decade to do so. On October 24, 2019, he was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for a diuretic. He returned on December 17, 2019. In 2023, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a 3-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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