Arizona commit DeAndre Ayton plays big in McDonald’s All-American game
Mar 29, 2017, 7:02 PM
Arizona basketball commit and Phoenix Hillcrest product DeAndre Ayton scored eight points and tallied a McDonald’s All-American game-high 11 rebounds in the West team’s high school All-Star game victory Wednesday.
Ayton, regarded by some recruiting services as the best player in the 2017 class, added three steals and an assist while making 4 of 10 shots. Nine of his rebounds came on the offensive end.
The 7-foot, 243-pound big man committed to play for the Wildcats in September and on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM said Saturday that his mother was wowed by visiting Arizona.
Ayton chose to play for Sean Miller’s UA team over offers from Kentucky and Kansas, among others.
As a stretch big man who will presumably play in the UA frontcourt alongside center Dusan Ristic next year, Ayton’s 0-for-3 shooting from three-point range during the McDonald’s All-American game was out of character. But his presence in Chicago preparing for the game this week goes beyond his performance.
The Arizona Daily Star’s Bruce Pascoe reports he has been in the ear of fellow McDonald’s All-Americans such as forward Brian Bowen, guard Trevon Duval and big man Brandon McCoy, who have yet to make their college decisions.
Bowen is awaiting word on NBA declarations from players of teams he is interested in attending, Pascoe reports.
The Wildcats are holding a press conference Thursday where it is expected one or more of their players could announce their decisions to leave for the NBA.
Here is the official box score for the McDonald’s All-American game.
