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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Full first round before 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season Round 20 game between Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Wizink Arena on January 25, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season Round 20 game between Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Wizink Arena on January 25, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/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) /

Deandre Ayton. 2. player. 66. . Center. Arizona

Age: 19 (7/23/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 250 pounds, 7’5″
Slash Line: .616/.364/.742
Season Averages: 33.4 MPG, 20.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.3 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.4 3PM

Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton has the athleticism and power of Dwight Howard, and the offensive skill set of LaMarcus Aldridge. His midrange game is an unequivocal strength, while his post game is improving and his physical abilities simply overwhelm defenders.

If the goal here is to build something sustainable, then the Phoenix Suns shouldn’t even consider a player besides Ayton at No. 2 overall.

Ayton may not be Howard on defense, but he’s certainly a special prospect with superstar potential of his own. Standing at just under 7’1″ with a gigantic 7’5″ wingspan, Ayton is an intimidating interior presence whom an organization could mold into a defensive anchor.

Ayton is still learning how to be the defender that he’s capable of becoming, but with fluid athleticism and explosive leaping ability, the tools are in place for him to do so.

Offensively, Ayton is a productive post player, a force in the pick and roll, and an improving three-point shooter. He’s modernizing his game to meet contemporary standards, but remains a tactical mismatch for virtually every defender he meets down low.

If the New York Knicks are lucky, they’ll have a chance to draft Ayton themselves. If not, he’ll either go No. 1 or No. 2 overall.

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