The Phoenix Suns are expected to select DeAndre Ayton out of the University of Arizona as the top overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft in a week's time. Ayton has been hailed by many as the consensus first pick thanks to an insane combination of size and skills.
Many have compared the seven-footer to all-time great center David Robinson, talent-wise. But as far as his personality goes, we may not have to look farther into finding Ayton's NBA comparison. According to Sports Illustrated's Andrew Sharp, who had the chance to interact with Ayton off the court, the Bahaman behemoth can be likened to the Philadelphia 76ers' All-Star center Joel Embiid.
via Zach Alvira of arizonasports.com:
Article Continues Below“He does sort of have a little Joel Embiid in him, he is very funny and sarcastic in a cutting way sometimes,” Sharp said. “I went out there not knowing much about Deandre. He does have a big personality and I think that is going to play very well in the NBA.”
Don't expect Ayton to tweet celebrities, recruit superstars, and other things a rookie Embiid did in 2014. But his confidence is what Sharp describes as “very real.” Most importantly, though, Ayton appears to have the work ethic to back up the belief in himself.
The age of big men is experiencing a resurgence and a matchup between DeAndre Ayton and Joel Embiid next season is already among the must-watch battles. If it their competitive fire spills over unto Twitter postgame, we will be watching.