Phoenix Suns select Arizona forward, DeAndre Ayton, as No.1 draft pick

Published June 21, 2018 4:53pm MST

NEW YORK (KSAZ) - The Phoenix Suns have selected DeAndre Ayton, a freshman forward from the University of Arizona, as their pick in the NBA draft.

The Suns won the first pick in the NBA lottery last month. It's their first pick overall in the draft for the first time in its 50 years as a NBA franchise team.

The 19-year-old from Nassau, Bahamas, who also went to high school at Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, was a dominating force for the Wildcats in the 2017-2018 season.

The 7 foot 1 inch center averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, as well as a 61.2 percent field goal average and shooting 34.3 percent from the three-point line.

The Suns had a troubling last season, ranging from coming in last place (21-61) overall to a fired head coach.