Selected as the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton immediately established himself as a dominant force in professional basketball. This historic selection made him the franchise’s first No. 1 pick and cemented his status as a standout talent. Ayton’s collegiate career at the University of Arizona (2017–2018) was highly decorated, seeing him average an impressive 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

In 2023, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he continued to anchor the team’s frontcourt. Building on this progression, Ayton signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025, continuing his trajectory as a premier center in the league and a highly sought-after talent.