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Back on New Year’s Day, DeAndre Ayton made a bold statement when he came to New York for the Grind Session.
“I don’t want no doubt,” the 7-foot, 235-pound Ayton told SNY.tv at Baruch College. “This season I’ve got to show everybody there’s no doubt that I’m the No. 1 player.”
On Wednesday, Ayton was ranked the No. 1 player in the Class of 2017 by Scout.com, with fellow bigs Mohamed Bamba of The Westtown (PA) School and Wendell Carter from Atlanta (GA) Pace Academy slotting in at Nos. 2 and 3. Trevon Duval, a point guard from Dallas (TX) Advanced Prep International, and Michael Porter Jr., a small forward from Columbia (MO) Tolton Catholic, round out the top five.
“I’m a lot more confident in my game than last year,” said Ayton, who transferred to Phoenix (AA) Hillcrest from San Diego (CA) Balboa Prep. “I know that I am the most dominant player in the country.”
Ayton injured his knee last season and has slowly eased back to full conditioning. Less than four months later, Ayton is already showing unparalleled levels of explosiveness and coordination for a player his size – two talents that could eventually make him the perfect big man for the modern NBA. While college teams are lining up for a shot at luring the 17-year-old phenom, Ayton is taking the recruitment process slowly.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about [the college search],” Ayton said. “I’m waiting until the following semester.”
“Those aren’t really my top, top three,” Ayton said, explaining that he hasn’t begun research or even started speaking with coaches over the phone. “I don’t get on the phone with anyone. I don’t have any of their numbers. I’m going to visit soon. I just like those schools because I like the players that have come out of those programs.
“With Anthony Davis at Kentucky, to be honest, that’s the dude of the future of the NBA. I really try to replicate my game after him.”
Ayton was also quick to give nods of approval to Duke and Kansas as well.
“I mean Coach K is an all-time great,” he said of Mike Krzyzewski. “Just like the other coaches Bill Self and Coach Ca [John Calipari]. I love [Bill Self’s] program. I’ve been watching them for a while and everything runs through his bigs. He’s just caught my eye to be honest.”
Ayton says he’s currently studying Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon and Robinson to add more nuance to his game. Like Olajuwon, Ayton’s unique upbringing outside of the United States may have blessed him with athletic skills from other sports.
“I’m not a regular big, they say.,” he said. “Soccer was my first sport before basketball so I move quickly. I’m very nimble on my feet.”
Beyond the guard-like quick cuts and the swift feet in transition Ayton showed on Thursday, his balance is prodigious – especially considering the 7-foot frame. That balance is vital, as it could help prevent injuries down the road for a player who embraces contact on rebounds.
When asked who his top competitors were for the top spot in the individual high school rankings, Ayton was defiant.
“Nobody,” he said. “Nobody to be honest. I mean, they can all come up to me as a team but there’s no individual.”
