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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round for All-Star Weekend

By Maxwell Ogden

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners stands on the court during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners stands on the court during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts with teammate Dylan Smith #3 after scoring a basket 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 reacts with teammate Dylan Smith #3 after scoring a basket 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) /

. Center. Arizona Wildcats. Deandre Ayton. 1. player. 66

Age: 19 (7/23/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 250 pounds, 7’5″
Slash Line: .606/.333/.739
Season Averages: 32.6 MPG, 19.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.4 3PM

The Phoenix Suns have a rising star at shooting guard in former Kentucky Wildcats star Devin Booker. There’s intriguing talent scattered throughout the rest of the roster, but all things considered, the Suns are a team that’s essentially Booker or bust at this current juncture.

In an attempt to create the high-low balance that’s worked in every era thus far, the Suns draft the perfect complement to Booker at No. 1 overall: Deandre Ayton.

In addition to being an in-state prospect, Ayton is the type of interior presence whom Phoenix has been without since Amar’e Stoudemire. He’s an athletic phenom who easily plays above the rim and has the raw power to overwhelm opponents at both interior positions.

Ayton’s offensive game is a work in progress, per se, but he’s already combining his elite physical gifts with a modern skill set that coaches are salivating over.

Ayton can shoot the three-ball reasonably well, and is becoming a force on the low block. He’s also an excellent rebounder and an improving shot-blocker, with a ranking of No. 13 in the nation in defensive rebound percentage and a respectable average of 2.2 blocks per 40 minutes.

Many players have intriguing talent in this draft class, but Ayton may have the highest ceiling of any prospect on the board. The New York Knicks will be paying attention.

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