Deandre Ayton reacts after being drafted first overall by the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP
Top pick DeAndre Ayton was in cloud nine after his name was called in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The former Arizona Wildcats freshman was ecstatic after being selected by the Phoenix Suns in this year’s draft.
“As I shook his hand, that’s when all the emotions came on me. My hard work is starting to pay off. Seeing the reaction of my parents’ faces, even my agent’s face is just really insane,” Ayton said in a video conference sponsored by Cisco.
Yet the 19-year-old forward/center knows being the top pick does translate to a successful NBA career.
“Coming as a rookie, I let my work ethic speak first. Once you’re on the floor, you have to show some respect to the guys who were there before you,” Ayton said.
In his lone season with the Wildcats, Ayton tallied 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds.
He will be playing alongside spitfire guard Devin Booker as they try to improve the Suns’ 21-61 win-loss record from last season.
“It was a blessing, it was a dream come true. I worked hard for this. I know this is a hungry team I’m joining. I just wanna start winning and be the best two-way player,” Ayton said. Ivan Ruiz L. Suing