Deandre Ayton

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Lore & Background

Ayton made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, plus a season-high 6 assists, in a 121–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks. This made him the first player to record those stats in a debut since Lew Alcindor in 1969. On December 29, 2018, he scored a career-high 33 points with 14 rebounds in a 122–118 loss to the Denver Nuggets. On March 27, 2019, he broke Alvan Adams' franchise rookie record for most double-doubles. He averaged a double-double as a rookie, becoming the third rookie in a decade to do so, joining Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns. On October 24, 2019, after the season opener, Ayton was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for a diuretic, violating the league's anti-drug policy. He returned from suspension on December 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In Their Own Story

The arena buzzed as Ayton, the top pick, took the court for his debut. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, a double-double that hadn't been seen in a debut since 1969. Fans roared as he grabbed his 18th rebound against the Toronto Raptors on November 2, 2018, a season high. But the season also brought a suspension: on October 24, 2019, he was sidelined for 25 games for a positive diuretic test. He returned on December 17, 2019, determined to anchor the Suns' resurgence.

Reader's Guide

Deandre Ayton played for the Phoenix Suns from 2018 to 2023. He was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA draft, the franchise's first No. 1 pick. In his rookie season, he started every game he was healthy for, save one, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He averaged a double-double as a rookie, joining Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns as the only rookies in a decade to do so. In 2021, he helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. On October 24, 2019, he was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for a diuretic. He returned on December 17, 2019. In 2023, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a 3-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Did You Know?

• Ayton was the first player to record 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in an NBA debut since Lew Alcindor in 1969.
• He broke Alvan Adams' franchise rookie record for most double-doubles on March 27, 2019.
• Ayton was suspended for 25 games in the 2019–20 season after testing positive for a diuretic.
• He was the third rookie in a decade to average a double-double, joining Blake Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns.
• Ayton helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 in 2021.