Arizona’s NBA-sized wrecking ball with touch, torque, and double-double juice
In the 2017-18 season, Deandre Ayton was a force for Arizona, averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 61.2% from the field, and he piled up 24 double-doubles — the most in the nation.[8][15] What makes him special is the rare combo of 7-foot size, soft hands, rim power, and enough skill to score facing up or with his back to the basket, which made him a near-matchup nightmare.[13] The knock was consistency on the defensive end, but his length, athleticism, and top-tier interior scoring made him a clear fit for any team needing a dominant paint anchor.[13][15]
