Jared CohenThe number one basketball prospect for the 2017 class in the nation, DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, has ended his recruitment.
The 7-1 center, who is originally from San Diego, announced Live on ESPN that he will be staying in state and will be attending the University of Arizona after completing high school. He chose the Wildcats over Kentucky and Kansas.
Ayton is said to have only been playing basketball competitively for about five or six years and no compare his game to Kevin Garnett. Telling SportsCenter “I can feel his energy from his film.”
Ayton is extremely long and athletic on the basketball court. He plays with a lot of bounce and can show a lot of power around the rim. When needed, he can step back and hit a 17 or 18 footer. Plus his electrifying dunks have wowed the club circuit over the last few summers.
With all that happened with Terrence Ferguson from the 2016 class going overseas to Australia to play professionally rather than play in Tucson this winter, it pains Wildcat faithful to think that another high profile prospect could do the same. SportsCenter asked Ayton about this.
“No not at all,” he said. “My family and I do not want to forgo the college experience.”
Ayton joins stud Corona del Sol Point Guard Alex Barcello for a prolific 2017 Arizona class thus far.
Highlights of Ayton above produced by AZ Finest Mixtape.
