Bagley or Ayton? ASU’s Bobby Hurley gives his take on future draft picks
Mar 23, 2018, 11:45 AM | Updated: 1:03 pm
Bobby Hurley joins The Doug & Wolf Show for an in-studio interview on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Friday, March 23, 2018. (Arizona Sports/Matt Layman)
(Arizona Sports/Matt Layman)
The Phoenix Suns remain in the lead of the upside down standings that will determine the odds for the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
With the chance for the Suns to own the first overall pick in the draft growing each game, the time has come for speculation as to who Suns general manager Ryan McDonough will decide to draft in June.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley joined 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf on Friday, offering his take on who the Suns should draft between Arizona’s Deandre Ayton and Duke’s Marvin Bagley III should McDonough seek his advice.
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“It’s splitting hairs but I think Ayton is a freak,” Hurley said. “He’s special. He gets every rebound, he goes above everyone. He’s got great hands, great footwork and he can step away and shoot. He is the full package.”
The 7-foot-1 freshman was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year after averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, playing a key role in the Wildcats’ journey to winning the Pac-12 championship.
Ayton has widely been considered one of the two best prospects in the upcoming draft along with Slovenian swingman Luka Doncic.
Bagley’s stock, however, has climbed thanks to his 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in Duke’s two blowout victories in the NCAA Tournament. In recent mock drafts, the Tempe native has been listed as the top pick ahead of Ayton and Doncic.
The 6-foot-11 forward has dominated all season, using his athleticism to secure buckets in the post while also having the ability to shoot from long range.
A former Duke standout himself, Hurley believes Bagley has the components to warrant a top overall selection in the upcoming draft.
“Bagley is one of the quickest jumpers I have seen,” Hurley said of the freshman. “He’s got a great touch and a great feel.”
Whether it’s Ayton, Bagley, Doncic or a slew of other talented prospects set to make the leap into the NBA next season, the Phoenix Suns have options.
If, however, it were to come down to both Ayton and Bagley, Hurley said the margin between the two is slim.
“You’re not going to go wrong with either one of those guys,” he said. “But in the narrowest margin, I think Ayton is ahead.”
