Suns’ Ayton named to Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend
Jan 29, 2019, 6:30 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) is congratulated by teammate De'Anthony Melton following a 107-99 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
In no surprise, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was named as a part of Team World in the NBA’s Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.
Ayton, born in the Bahamas, is the only Suns player this year to make either the USA or World Team.
Among rookies, Ayton is second in points per game (16.4) and first in field goal percentage (59.4 percent) and rebounds per game (10.5).
The No. 1 overall pick out of Arizona has enjoyed an extremely productive season. If Ayton were to maintain his averages of at least 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one block a game, he would become one of only six rookies in NBA history to do so, per Basketball-Reference.
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Ayton has been dealing with a left ankle sprain that has seen him miss the Suns’ last six games, including Tuesday’s against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns will not play again until Saturday at home against the Atlanta Hawks.
Names joining Ayton on the Team World include Dallas’ Luka Doncic, former Sun Bogdan Bogdanovic and Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons. The competition on Team USA has the likes of Kings guard DeAaron Fox, Atlanta’s Trae Young and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
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