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2018 NBA Prospect Report Part 1: DeAndre Ayton

By Ricky Scricca

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McKale Center on December 30, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Sun Devils 84-78. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McKale Center on December 30, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Sun Devils 84-78. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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Deandre Ayton, Arizona Wildcats
Deandre Ayton, Arizona Wildcats /

In part one of our prospect report series, we look at Deandre Ayton: a center with undeniable physical tools, but whose mental makeup and skills will determine his NBA success.

“Vulcan’s Anvil.”

That is the nickname commentator Bill Walton bestowed upon Deandre Ayton, the Bahamian behemoth widely expected to go top three in this upcoming NBA Draft.

The Orlando Magic’s season has long been out of hand. FiveThirtyEight projects them to finish with 26 wins, with playoff odds currently less than one percent.

There are no shortage of scapegoats – injuries, talent, fit, culture – to point at. But it is time to start looking ahead to the 2018 NBA Draft, where the Magic will once again be picking in the high lottery.

In this first part of my prospect report series, we will be taking a look at Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton.

Ayton is a physical freak. He is more than seven feet tall with a reported 44-inch vertical leap. Ayton is incredibly quick off the ground and has excellent top-end speed for his position. He combines all that with advanced coordination, offensive feel and body control.

His tools are not his limiting factor. How effectively he applies them will be.

So far the results have been mostly positive but mixed nonetheless.

Contrary to preconceived notions about his drive and determination heading into this season, his motor under Arizona head coach Sean Miller has been impressive. He consistently fights for position, runs the floor hard and battles under the boards.

His effort in these areas has been a massive boon to his overall productivity because when he is determined to go somewhere or do something, there is little most NCAA athletes can do to put up resistance.

His upside as a post facilitator, post scorer, rim-runner and rebounder is tantalizing. He has more issues to iron out on the defensive end, but there are some positive indicators.

The Magic need a player with equity as a shot-creator. Ayton might fit that bill. But he also might simply be the best prospect available when they draft.

So, without further ado, let’s dig into the numbers and film.