The worst-kept secret in the NBA was finally made official on Thursday night when the Phoenix Suns made Deandre Ayton the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.
For his part, Ayton’s final five minutes before being introduced as a Suns player were a bit tense.
https://twitter.com/davis_weddle1/status/1009943375749971968
The Arizona Wildcat spent one year at the collegiate level, averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Now he’ll join Devin Booker and Co. as the Suns continue to rebuild.
Twitter had some great reactions to this pick, starting with a quote from the man himself.
“I could see a little Shaq and Kobe 2.0” — Deandre Ayton pic.twitter.com/aW1jncOoOa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2018
WE DID IT!! #SUNS #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/xO0ufITduV
— Derek Montilla (@Cap_Kaveman) June 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/splxvfxx/status/1009944257975734272
Deandre Ayton to the #Suns with the first pick. Solid dynamic big with very high upside, but I still believe Doncic would've been the right move here.#NBADraft
— Ian Stone (@Ian_M_Stone) June 21, 2018
Wonder if Deandre Ayton will have to take a pay cut to play for the Suns. 🏀🏀💰💰
— Andy F (@aform3) June 21, 2018
DEANDRE AYTON AND DEVIN BOOKER ARE GOING TO BE A DOMINANT FORCE IM THE NBA. DEVIN BOOKER ISNT EVEN 22 YET.
I AM NOW A SUNS FAN.
— RIGO 📸 (@rigotravels) June 21, 2018
The Phoenix Suns are gonna be a dynasty in the future.
So many talented young guys including Devin Booker,
And now, they have DeAndre Ayton to pair with him.
— Nate the Celtics Fan (@Nate_CelticsFan) June 21, 2018
Deandre Ayton. Josh Jackson. Devin Booker. A head coach who isn’t Earl Watson.
These Suns are going to be fun. #NBADraft
— Mike Mandell (@MichaelJMandell) June 21, 2018
Deandre Ayton to the @Suns@kevinoconnornba’s instant grade: A-
Deandre Ayton's offensive upside is tantalizing and he's a wonderful fit alongside Devin Booker. But he needs to buy in as a rim protector to reach his upside. #RingerNBA pic.twitter.com/pO2fEc1DAf— The Ringer (@ringer) June 21, 2018