The first overall pick who stayed in the same state
In short: When the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick in 2018, they achieved something unprecedented. He was the first No. 1 pick in franchise history to enter the NBA playing for a team from the same state where he played his high school and college basketball.
Deandre Ayton's journey to the NBA was marked by elite physical development and high-stakes competition. By age 12, the Bahamian-born player already stood 6 feet 5 inches tall. His path through the American prep circuit saw him move from the Bahamas to San Diego, California, for high school, eventually transferring to Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. By his senior year, he was a consensus five-star recruit and the top-ranked center in the 2017 high school class.
His collegiate tenure at the University of Arizona was a period of both immense statistical dominance and significant controversy. In 2017, Ayton earned Pac-12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, leading the Wildcats to a Pac-12 Championship. However, his final months were shadowed by an FBI investigation. Wiretapped conversations revealed allegations that Arizona's head coach, Sean Miller, discussed payments to ensure Ayton's enrollment, and that Adidas consultants had funneled money to Ayton's family.
Despite these distractions, Ayton's professional ascent was rapid. Selected first overall in the 2018 NBA draft, he became the first No. 1 pick in Suns history. His rookie season saw him join the ranks of legends like Lew Alcindor, recording a debut with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He eventually helped lead Phoenix to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. His career has since seen significant movement, including a 2023 trade to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a major three-team deal.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Deandre Ayton
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-deandre-ayton.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
