Arizona Wildcats icon and former NBA veteran Mike Bibby chopped it up with Michelle Beadle, Shams Charania, and Chandler Parsons in a recent episode of Run it Back to talk about his alma mater, the NBA, and the NCAA.
During the podcast episode, Bibby decided to create his all-time starting five from the Arizona program, and one particular selection that caught everyone off guard was the inclusion of Portland Trail Blazers center, Deandre Ayton.
“Khalid Reeves, me at the two, three I put Sean Elliott, Derrick Williams at the four, and I have Deandre Ayton at the five,” said the former Sacramento Kings point guard.
Having Ayton in the starting lineup meant that Chris Mills, Jason Terry, Channing Frye, and Damon Stoudamire, among others, were snubbed. However, Mike Bibby reiterated that he had to include Deandre Ayton because of the position he played in.
“That’s why I put him up there, you’ve got to put him up in the top 5 to ever do it at Arizona,” said Bibby.
Deandre Ayton’s lone season with the Arizona Wildcats
Deandre Ayton was a star in Arizona before he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, over the likes of Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
During the 2017-18 collegiate season, the Bahamian center averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 61.2 percent from the field. Because of his elite production, Ayton won the 2018 Pac-12 Player of the Year award and was also a consensus All-American.
With Ayton leading the way, the Arizona Wildcats won the Pac-12 Championship and made it to the March Madness tournament. However, they were eliminated by the Buffalo Bulls in a huge Round of 64 upset.
Deandre Ayton’s NBA career so far after his one-and-done season with the Arizona Wildcats
Deandre Ayton has yet to hit his peak as an NBA player, but to his credit, he has been productive, averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59.4 percent from the field in his career thus far.
After spending his first five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, including a trip to the NBA Finals, Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal last offseason.
This year, the 25-year-old is averaging 15.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field.