The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 9.0

By Christopher Kline

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Arizona. Deandre Ayton. 1. player. 66. . C

At this point, Ayton seems locked into the first overall pick. He played in-state at Arizona, while the Suns’ owner has deep roots at the university. With arguably the highest upside in the draft, Ayton gives Phoenix the cornerstone big they’ve been lacking for years.

At 7-foot with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he’s built like the Hulk — boasting an impressive blend of size, muscle and quickness. He can stick with guards on switches and has obvious potential as a rim-protector, even if his collegiate defense was subpar.

On the offensive end, he’s a skilled post scorer who can pass, shoot and attack in straight-line drives. He has all the tools of a potentially generational talent in the middle. The Suns will take Ayton and happily move forward with their rebuild.