ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Sports Illustrated’s regional March Madness cover features Deandre Ayton

Mar 7, 2018, 11:21 AM

How do we know March Madness has arrived? When Sports Illustrated’s NCAA Tournament preview special edition drops.

The magazine’s latest will be available on March 12, just after Selection Sunday, but it already released its main cover stories — and covers.

One of the four regional editions features the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton standing out among a collection of prior March Madness stars.

The cover accompanies a feature by Jeremy Woo titled “Valuable and Versatile, Arizona’s Deandre Ayton Leads College Basketball’s New Breed of Big Men.”

On the other regional covers for the March 12 edition are Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham, Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter and Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr.

Ayton averaged 19.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 61.6 percent and 34.4 percent from three-point range.

The 7-foot, 250 pound big man from the Bahamas has already been named to the Associated Press’ All-Pac-12 First Team and Sporting News’ 2018 All-American Team. He became the first Pac-12 freshman in 25 years to average at least 19 points and 11 rebounds, finishing with 19.9 points and 11.4 rebounds during the regular season. Ayton is the second freshman to lead the conference in rebounding, joining California’s Leon Power in 2004.

Behind Ayton and first-team all-Pac-12 guard Allonzo Trier, Arizona overcame a season of turmoil to win its fifth Pac-12 title in six years. Ayton is projected to be a top-five pick in this year’s NBA draft.

“He’s a once in a generation player,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said. “I doubt if I’ll coach anyone like him again.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Arizona Basketball

Tommy Lloyd...

Arizona Sports

After Sweet 16 loss, Arizona Wildcats’ coach Tommy Lloyd says ‘our day in the sun will come’

Despite loss in NCAA Tournament, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd thinks the program is in a good spot after his first three seasons.

1 hour ago

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona basketball stars go cold in Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson carried Arizona into the NCAA Tournament but they shot the Wildcats out of their Sweet 16 matchup vs. Clemson.

14 hours ago

Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Arizona Sports

Oumar Ballo Nerf-hoop dunks it in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 against the No. 6 Clemson Tigers showed some pop late in the first half with Oumar Ballo's dunk.

15 hours ago

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

2 days ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

2 days ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

2 days ago

Sports Illustrated’s regional March Madness cover features Deandre Ayton