Video: Deandre Ayton - Potential No. 1 Overall The Hillcrest Prep standout was a monster in high school.
The legend of projected No. 1 pick
Deandre Ayton all began on Aug. 15, 2014 — the summer before his sophomore season of high school, in an exhibition game in the Bahamas.
The game pitted 16-year-old Ayton and local Providence Storm against the preseason 2014-15 North Carolina Tar Heels. The future University of Arizona standout finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds (eight offensive) as he led his squad to an 84-83 upset over a shocked group of Tar Heels that including a front line of Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks and Justin Jackson.
The dominant 7-foot center had a number of dominant performances over his three-year high school career at
Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) and
Balboa School (Escondido, Calif.) as well. Going off for a jaw-dropping 52 points, 33 rebounds, 11 blocks, four steals, and four 4 assists in a 71-67 win over Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) during his junior year.
Read on for a closer look at the projected number one picks' dominant high school career.
Prospect Report Card — Deandre Ayton High School Record: 57-10 in two seasons at Hillcrest Prep, 17-14 in one season at Balboa School.
Stats/Accomplishments: Third team MaxPreps All-American; Grind Session National Champion at Hillcrest Prep in 2016-17.
Outstanding Achievement: Led Hillcrest Prep to No. 8 finish in the 2016-17 MaxPreps Independent Top 10, averaging 23.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. Although his numbers dipped from his 29.2 points, 16.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game during his junior campaign, Ayton worked diligently on his perimeter game throughout his senior year. He clearly focused on his development over his production. As shown throughout his amateur career, Ayton is a walking double-double with superstar potential written all over him. His diverse offensive skill set and elite frame make him a near lock for the first pick.
Needs Work: The biggest question surrounding Ayton heading into the draft is his ability to make a major defensive impact at the next level, averaging under two blocks per game at the collegiate level. He also could improve his free throw shooting a bit, shooting 72 percent from the line last year at Arizona.
Best Fit: All signs point to Phoenix taking Ayton with the No. 1 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. Ayton will look to stable up an uncertain front court to form a promising young core along with Devin Booker and Josh Jackson.
