The first 28 games of Deandre Ayton’s rookie season have been an exploration of player development and human mentality shrouded in a culture of losing. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick is averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game, numbers that any team would be proud to get from their top selection, but many of the same instinctive gaffes that limited him at Arizona as a freshman followed him to the NBA.
Despite a developed frame and incredible athleticism, Ayton rarely creates easy situations for himself as a scorer. Propped up by a preposterous 74 percent shooting at the rim, Ayton is shooting nearly 60 percent overall from the field but many nights this season his presence on offense has been quiet.