Arizona Wildcats

Deandre Ayton announces via Twitter that he will enter the NBA Draft

Published Mar. 21, 2018 3:41 p.m. ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona freshman big man Deandre Ayton is leaving early for the NBA after one dominating season.

Ayton made the announcement on his Twitter feed Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/DeandreAyton/status/976533527280762881

The 7-foot-1, 260-pound Ayton was named the Pac-12 player of the year in 2017-18 after averaging 20.1 points on 61 percent shooting and 11.6 rebounds per game.

The Bahamian big man has the size of a center, but the athleticism of a small forward. He has excellent footwork, a good midrange jump shot and passes well out of double teams, traits that have him projected to be a lottery pick in the NBA draft, possibly the No. 1 overall pick.