Deandre Ayton Confident of Joining Phoenix Suns

Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton appears to have decided on his preferred destination in the upcoming 2018 NBA Draft.

Deandre Ayton (19), trained with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Afterwards, he declared that it would be his one and only pre-draft workout.

The Phoenix Suns hold the no. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and Deandre Ayton is certain that the team will use it to recruit him.

In spite of having received no assurances from the Suns, he seems set on joining his local NBA franchise.

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“I know I’m going No. 1,” he told reporters.

“Nobody told me,” he said. “That’s just me. I think I deserve that. I’ve worked hard.”

Ayton was born in the Bahamas and moved to the Phoenix area when he was twelve. The 7-foot-1, 250-pound center is dreaming of starting something special in Phoenix.

“Everybody knows us now,” he said. “This is our second home so we just feel welcome, and it would be a blessing if I become the No. 1 pick and stay here and make this home.”

The Suns are looking to bounce back from recent disappointments with new head coach Igor Kokoskov.

Phoenix hasn’t made the playoffs in eight seasons and finished last year with a 21 – 61 record, an NBA worst. It was the second-worst finish in franchise history.

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough outline Ayton’s unique set of attributes as a player.

“I think this is my 16th draft in the NBA,” McDonough said, “and you can probably count on one hand the number of guys with his size, athleticism, footwork, balance, touch. It’s a unique package.”

For Ayton’s part, he is relishing the chance to team up with Devin Booker in Phoenix.

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“We could really make something happen in Phoenix,” he said. “We could really have a spark and start a winning legacy.”