Deandre Ayton made a bold prediction following yesterday’s workout with the Phoenix Suns, as he said he believes he’ll be the top pick in the 2018 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft.
The 7’1” centre said, his workout with Phoenix was his first and only formal meeting with a team prior to the draft.
“I am the best competitor in this draft,” Ayton said.
“I won’t say I am the best player, but from a competitive standpoint, I am the fiercest competitor. I play my heart out on both ends of the floor and I deserve to be number one.
“This workout showed me how the league works. This one-on-one attention is great. It’s great to have all of the coaches locked in on me and paying attention to what I can do. I won’t back down, no matter what challenge is placed in front of me.”
Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough described Ayton’s workout as “phenomenal”.
The Suns’ coaching staff put him through an hour workout that included pick-and-rolls, three-point shooting and pick-and-roll coverage.
“He showed us what we expected to see,” McDonough said.
“The way he shot the ball was pretty impressive. Not many guys his size with that length and strength can step away from the basket and make shots.
“He did some of it at Arizona, but that wasn’t his role. You didn’t get to see him on the perimeter. Today he shot the NBA three pretty comfortably. He had really good form, touch and rotation on the ball. For a guy that size, that was a little bit unique.”
