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 coming out of high school and played college basketball at the University of Arizona, where he was named Pac-12 Player of the Year. Ayton was selected first overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA draft, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. He played a key role in the Suns' 2021 NBA Finals appearance, their first since 1993. Ayton was then traded to the Portland Trailblazers and later the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Suns reach NBA Finals

In 1993, Deandre Ayton's team, the Suns, reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.

2007: First Player Since Shawn Marion

On January 20, 2021, Ayton had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and a career-high 5 blocks. He became 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, as well as the only other Suns player to do it in the last 30 seasons.

2010: Phoenix Suns Playoff Berth

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

2014: Balboa School Basketball

In 2014, Deandre Ayton played for Balboa School's varsity basketball team, leading them to a 17–14 record, averaging 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 6.9 blocks per game. He achieved double-doubles in 21 of 22 regular season games.

2015: Transfer to Hillcrest Prep Academy

In 2015, Deandre Ayton transferred to Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, Arizona for his junior and senior years of high school.

September 6, 2016: Commitment to Arizona Wildcats

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

2016: Nike Hoop Summit

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

2016: Represented The Bahamas in Centrobasket

In 2016, Deandre Ayton represented The Bahamas in the Centrobasket, where he averaged a tournament-leading 11.1 rebounds per game.

November 10, 2017: Debut with University of Arizona

On November 10, 2017, Deandre Ayton debuted 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, Deandre Ayton recorded a season-high 29 points and 18 rebounds in an 88–82 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

December 30, 2017: Season-High Rebounds Against Arizona State

On December 30, 2017, Deandre Ayton recorded 19 rebounds against the Arizona State Sun Devils, marking a season-high at the time.

2017: McDonald's All-American and Consensus Five-Star Prospect

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

January 20, 2018: Blocks Against Stanford

On January 20, 2018, Deandre Ayton blocked six shots against Stanford, tying for the most in Arizona freshman single-game history.

March 3, 2018: NBA Draft Announcement

On March 3, 2018, after a game against California where Deandre Ayton recorded 26 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, head coach Sean Miller announced that Ayton, along with Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier, would enter the 2018 NBA draft.

April 26, 2018: Signs with Agent

On April 26, 2018, Deandre Ayton announced he signed with agent Nima Namakian, after declaring for the 2018 NBA draft.

June 2018: Puma Sponsorship Announcement

In June 2018, Puma announced they would sponsor Deandre Ayton, marking Puma's return to the basketball market.

June 21, 2018: Drafted First Overall by Phoenix Suns

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

July 1, 2018: Joins Phoenix Suns Summer League Squad

On July 1, 2018, Deandre Ayton joined the Phoenix Suns 2018 NBA Summer League squad.

October 17, 2018: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2018, Deandre Ayton made his NBA debut, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, along with 6 assists, in a 121–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

2018: First Overall NBA Draft Pick

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

2018: Pre-draft comparison by ESPN analyst

Prior to his draft in 2018, ESPN analyst Jay Williams compared Deandre Ayton to David Robinson and Anthony Davis.

September 10, 2019: Relief Drive for Hurricane Dorian

On September 10, 2019, Deandre Ayton held a relief drive to collect supplies and donations for those affected by Hurricane Dorian after donating $100,000 to relief efforts.

2019: NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection

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

January 3, 2020: Return to Starting Lineup

On January 3, 2020, Deandre Ayton returned to the starting lineup for the Phoenix Suns, playing as a power forward in a 120–112 win over the New York Knicks.

2021: NBA Finals Appearance

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

2021: Playoff Berth

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

March 23, 2022: Ayton scores career-high 35 points

On March 23, 2022, Deandre Ayton achieved a career-high of 35 points, along with 14 rebounds, in a 125–116 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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, which was the largest in league history at the time.

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

On July 18, 2022, the Phoenix Suns matched the Indiana Pacers' offer, leading to Deandre Ayton signing a multi-year contract with the Suns.

February 4, 2023: Ayton ties season-high with 31 points against Pistons

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

September 27, 2023: Traded to Portland Trail Blazers

On September 27, 2023, Deandre Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team trade.

2023: Ayton joined the Bahamas national team

In 2023, Deandre Ayton joined the Bahamas national team for the 2024 Olympics Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

2024: Ayton Olympics Pre-Qualifying Tournament

In 2024, Deandre Ayton played for the Bahamas national team for the Olympics Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

June 29, 2025: Trail Blazers and Ayton Reach Buyout Agreement

On June 29, 2025, the Trail Blazers and Ayton reached a buyout agreement due to concerns about Ayton's habits.

July 6, 2025: Signs with the Los Angeles Lakers

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

December 2025: Wins NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

In December 2025, Deandre Ayton was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November for his hurricane relief efforts for Jamaica and programs promoting food access and cultural equity, leading to a $20,000 donation to the Ayton Family Foundation.

January 18, 2026: Scores 25 points on 10-for-10 shooting in victory over Raptors

On January 18, 2026, Deandre Ayton scored 25 points on 10-for-10 shooting and added 13 rebounds in the Lakers’ 110–93 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He became the 34th player in NBA history to make at least 10 shots without a miss while also grabbing at least 10 boards.