Suns select Ayton with No. 1 overall pick

The Phoenix Suns made the expected choice on Thursday night when they selected University of Arizona center Deandre Ayton with the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft in New York.

The 7-foot-1 Ayton averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds and blocked 66 shots in his one college campaign. The Suns were in a need of a big man, and he stood out in a June 6 workout with the team.

Ayton, a 19-year-old Bahamas native, didn't work out for any other teams, stating after the workout that he felt was going to be the top overall choice.

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Ayton provides another building block for a roster that includes standout shooting guard Devin Booker and swingman Josh Jackson, who was the fourth overall selection of the 2017 draft.

During his season with the Wildcats, Ayton was involved in a controversy when ESPN reported that FBI wiretaps caught Arizona coach Sean Miller discussing a $100,000 payment to an agent's aide to ensure that Ayton joined his program. Ayton and Miller denied the report.

Ayton was quickly cleared by the NCAA to return to action, but Miller sat out one game before the school backed his return to the bench.

Thursday was the first time the Suns have owned the first overall pick.

--Field Level Media