Career Timeline of Deandre Ayton: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Deandre Ayton, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Deandre Ayton is a Bahamian professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He was a highly-touted five-star prospect before playing college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, where he was named Pac-12 Player of the Year. Ayton was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, selected by the Phoenix Suns. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors and played a key role in the Suns' 2021 NBA Finals appearance. Known as "DominAyton", he is recognized for his athleticism and impact on the court.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1960: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2018, Ayton made his NBA debut in the season opener and earned a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, making Ayton the third player since Oscar Robertson in 1960 to record these stats in their debut game

1969: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2018, Ayton made his NBA debut in the season opener and earned a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, making Ayton the first player to record these stats in their debut game since Lew Alcindor in 1969

1992: Becomes quickest player in franchise history to reach 1000 rebounds

On February 8, Ayton scored 28 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. He became the quickest player in franchise history to reach 1,000 rebounds at 94 games, as well as the fourth-quickest player to reach 1,000 since 1992.

2007: Leading Rebounder and Scorer

On January 20, 2021 Ayton had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and a career-high 5 blocks in a 109–103 win on the road, becoming the first Suns player since Shawn Marion in 2007 to put up at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a single game.

2009: Ends Regular Season with 34-39 Record

After getting an ankle injury on March 3 against the Toronto Raptors, Ayton returned to play in the resumed season's bubble games on July 31, getting 24 points (including 2-for-3 three-point shooting for his first professional three-pointers made) and 12 rebounds in a 125–112 win over the Washington Wizards. He started in seven of the team's eight games in the 2020 NBA Bubble to give them a perfect 8–0 record there, giving the Suns their first eight-game winning streak since the 2009–10 season, ending their regular season with a 34–39 record.

2010: Helped Phoenix Clinch Their First Playoff Berth

In 2021, Ayton helped Phoenix clinch their first playoff berth since 2010.

2014: Balboa School Basketball

In 2014, Ayton attended Balboa School in California and started on the varsity basketball team for two years. As a sophomore in 2014–15, Ayton led Balboa to a 17–14 record, averaging 21 points, 16 rebounds and 6.9 blocks per game.

2015: Transfer to Hillcrest Prep Academy

In 2015, Ayton transferred to Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, to play out his last two years of high school.

2015: Ranked Top Prospect

In 2015, Ayton was ranked by Scout as the top prospect in all of high school in their "Ultimate 100" list.

September 6, 2016: Commitment to Arizona Wildcats

On September 6, 2016, Ayton committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats and signed his letter of intent.

2016: Nike Hoop Summit Participation

In 2016, Ayton represented the World Select team and played at the Nike Hoop Summit, contributing eight points and seven rebounds.

2016: Represented Bahamas in Centrobasket

In 2016, Deandre Ayton represented The Bahamas in the Centrobasket, where he averaged 16 points and a tournament-leading 11.1 rebounds per game at age 18.

November 10, 2017: University of Arizona Debut

On November 10, 2017, Ayton made his debut with the University of Arizona, recording 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 101–67 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

December 9, 2017: Season-High Points and Rebounds

On December 9, 2017, Ayton recorded what was, at the time, a season-high 29 points and 18 rebounds in an 88–82 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

December 30, 2017: Season-High Rebounds

On December 30, 2017, against the in-state rival Arizona State Sun Devils, Ayton recorded 19 rebounds, which would be a season-high at the time.

2017: Teammate with Marvin Bagley III

During the 2015-16 high school year, Ayton became teammates with another top-tier Class of 2017 player in 2018's #2 pick Marvin Bagley III.

2017: Top Prospect

In 2017, Ayton was considered one of the top prospects in the recruiting class by Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN. He was rated as a five-star recruit and the No. 3 overall recruit and No. 1 center in the 2017 high school class.

2017: McDonald's All-American and Arizona Wildcats Player

In 2017, Deandre Ayton was a consensus five-star prospect in the Class of 2017 and a McDonald's All-American. He also played one season of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors.

January 20, 2018: Tied Record for Most Blocks in a Game

On January 20, 2018, against Stanford, Ayton blocked six shots, which tied him for most in Arizona freshman single game history.

March 3, 2018: NBA Draft Declaration

On March 3, 2018, after their last regular season home game against California, head coach Sean Miller honored Ayton, as well as underclassmen Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier, with confirmations that they'd all be entering the 2018 NBA draft at the end of this season.

April 26, 2018: Signs with Agent Nima Namakian

On April 26, 2018, Ayton announced he signed with agent Nima Namakian, after declaring for the 2018 NBA draft following Arizona's upset loss to the University at Buffalo in the Round of 64 of the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament.

June 21, 2018: Drafted #1 Overall by Phoenix Suns

On June 21, 2018, the Phoenix Suns selected Ayton with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was the franchise's first No. 1 pick in their history.

July 1, 2018: Joins Phoenix Suns Summer League Squad

On July 1, 2018, Ayton joined the 2018 NBA Summer League Suns squad, signing his rookie-scale contract five days later.

October 17, 2018: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2018, Ayton made his NBA debut in the season opener and earned a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 121–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

2018: Teammate with Marvin Bagley III

During the 2015-16 high school year, Ayton became teammates with another top-tier Class of 2017 player in 2018's #2 pick Marvin Bagley III.

2018: First Overall NBA Draft Pick

In 2018, Ayton was selected with the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

January 29, 2019: Rising Stars Challenge Selection

On January 29, 2019, Ayton was named a member of the World Team for the Rising Stars Challenge in the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend.

2019: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2019, Ayton was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

January 3, 2020: Returns as Starter

On January 3, 2020, Ayton returned as a starter proper, albeit as a power forward, in a 120–112 win over the New York Knicks after a sprained ankle sidelined him after his suspension.

2021: Leading Rebounder and Scorer

After struggling on the offensive end earlier on in the season (focusing more on defense instead), Ayton would return from the team's three-game suspension (due to COVID-19 protocols in the middle of January) with back-to-back nights as the team's leading rebounder and scorer on January 18 and 20, 2021.

2021: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2021, Ayton helped lead the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.

March 23, 2022: Career-High Performance Against Timberwolves

On March 23, 2022, Deandre Ayton achieved a career-high by scoring 35 points and securing 14 rebounds in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, contributing to the Phoenix Suns' 125–116 victory.

July 14, 2022: Signs Offer Sheet with Indiana Pacers

On July 14, 2022, Deandre Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers as a restricted free agent, marking the largest offer sheet in league history.

July 18, 2022: Signs Multi-Year Contract with Suns

On July 18, 2022, Deandre Ayton officially signed a multi-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, after the team matched the offer sheet he received from the Indiana Pacers.

February 4, 2023: Ties Season-High in Points

On February 4, 2023, Deandre Ayton tied his season-high with 31 points and 16 rebounds in a 116-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

September 27, 2023: Traded to Portland Trail Blazers

On September 27, 2023, Deandre Ayton, along with Toumani Camara and a 2029 first-round draft pick, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team trade involving Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, and multiple other players and assets.

June 29, 2025: Buyout Agreement with Trail Blazers

On June 29, 2025, Deandre Ayton and the Trail Blazers reached a buyout agreement, making him a free agent due to concerns over his habits.

July 6, 2025: Signs with the Los Angeles Lakers

On July 6, 2025, Deandre Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, which includes a player option for the second season.

December 2025: NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award Winner

In December 2025, Deandre Ayton was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November, recognizing his leadership in hurricane relief efforts for Jamaica and his programs promoting food access and cultural equity among underrepresented youth in Los Angeles. The Ayton Family Foundation received a $20,000 donation in recognition of his efforts.

January 18, 2026: Scores 25 Points on Perfect Shooting

On January 18, 2026, Deandre Ayton scored 25 points on 10-for-10 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Lakers’ victory over the Toronto Raptors, becoming one of the few players in NBA history to achieve such a feat.