For most of their half-century in existence
Tyler Austin Jersey , the Phoenix Suns have coveted a big-time center.In 1969, they lost the coin flip with Milwaukee for Lew Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and chose Neal Walk at No. 2. The closest they came was
Alvan Adams, an All-Star on some very good teams. Shaquille O’Neal made a cameo
appearance late in his career.
But a big, young franchise center to build around eluded them – until now.
With the first overall pick in the draft for the first time in franchise history, the Suns believe they have their man in 7-foot-1, 250-pound Deandre
Ayton, whose size, athleticism and multiple skills made him the obvious No. 1
overall pick Thursday night.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough called it ”a historic night for the franchise.”
There was a big cheer from the crowd gathered at Talking Stick Resort Arena for a party to celebrate the highest pick in franchise history. They’ve chosen
second overall twice.
”Having my name called to be the first pick for the Phoenix Suns was mind-blowing
Authentic Sam Hubbard Jersey ,” Ayton said. ”Having all the confidence and leading up to that point when I saw (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver came out, I
was just waiting for my name, and when he called it, my mind went blank. … and I
saw the reaction on my mom’s face. It was just priceless.”
The Suns also got the 10th overall pick, moving up six spots in a trade with Philadelphia to get guard/forward Mikal Bridges of Villanova. Phoenix sent the
No. 16 pick, guard Zhaire Smith of Texas Tech, to the 76ers along with Miami’s
unprotected first-round pick in 2021.
Ayton will join Devin Booker and Josh Jackson as the core of young talent that the Suns hope will pull them out of their long decline. Phoenix has missed
the playoffs the last eight seasons and their 21-61 record last season was the
worst in the NBA and second-worst in franchise history.
”The team in general is a very young and hungry team,” Ayton said. ”We just have to stick together, get a great chemistry and start a winning legacy in
Phoenix.”
In Brooklyn for the announcement, Ayton wore a sports jacket with an arr
ay of colors on the inside lining.
”There’s a few flags in there
Joe Kelly Jersey ,” Ayton said. ”My dad is from Nigeria, my mom is Jamaican and Bahamian, so I’m helping all those countries in one. I’m not just a
Bahamian. I’m Nigerian and Jamaican. So I just want to let the world know
that.”
Ayton was born in the Bahamas but left at age 12, a basketball prodigy who stayed in several Southern California homes and played with various basketball
programs, including a season as a teammate of Marvin Bagley III at Hillcrest
Prep in Phoenix.
Ayton, a month shy of his 20th birthday, was the Pac-12 player of the year at Arizona last season, averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. But the
Wildcats made an early exit in the NCAA Tournament, losing to Buffalo. Ayton
also had to tune out the noise from a federal investigation that ensnared an
Arizona assistant coach.
But he emerged above the rest in the pre-draft process.
Ayton worked out for only one team, the Suns
Tyler Glasnow Jersey , and turned on the charm with the media afterward.
Don’t worry, Ayton assured everyone that day, ”I know I’m going No. 1.”
That workout, McDonough said, was the deal-maker.
”He was first on our board coming into the workout,” McDonough said, ”and then he blew us away in the workout, which I think you guys probably gathered
from my tone. I’m usually pretty stoic but I was watching a workout that just
was incredible.”
McDonough called Ayton ”just a phenomenal physical talent. Watching him play and then working him out and interacting with him just checked every box for
us.”
The 6-foot-7 Bridges is a bonus, a third-team All-American and a member of the 2018 all-Final Four team. When the 76ers drafted him, it looked like a
feel-good hometown story since he’s from Philadelphia and his mother Tyneeha
Rivers was vice president for human resources for the 76ers.
Bridges even appeared at a news conference to talk about staying in Philadelphia.
But the Suns wanted him badly and kept pushing for the deal. Finally
Authentic Josh Jackson Jersey , the 76ers agreed and Bridges was bound for the desert.
He said there were no hard feelings about the trade.
”I’m excited. It’s a business and you’ve got a lot of talent going down there,” Bridges said. ”I can’t wait to start this up.”
With the 31st pick in the draft, the first in the second round, Phoenix chose point guard Elie Okobo of France, a 20-year-old sharpshooter who scored 44 in a
French playoff game. And with the 59th pick – next-to-last overall – the Suns
selected forward George King of Colorado.
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