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For the last couple of years, Arizona signee DeAndre Ayton has had to fend off rumors and speculation that he would never play a game of college basketball.

Whether it was questions about his grades or him looking for a way to circumvent the draft process—something ex-Arizona signee Terrance Ferguson did last year—not many expected Ayton to ever attend college.

Well, Ayton has been adamant for a long time that he will attend college, even if only for one year.

"It's a part of life," Ayton told FanRag Sports after recently participating in the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn, New York. "People have to do their jobs and talk, but I'm really going to college. I'll be my parent's first kid to go to college and it's my mother's dream. That's the goal."

Ayton is rated as a five-star recruit and the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2017 class, according to 247 Sports.

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After being involved in one of the most peculiar recruitments where not many schools offered him a scholarship upon thinking he would not play in college, Ayton is focused on getting to Arizona and getting better and becoming a complete player. He is determined to make the most out of his journey at Arizona.

"I want to make my teammates better and win games," Ayton said. "That's about it: just winning games."

With Arizona losing a major weapon in versatile big man Lauri Markkanen, expect Ayton to come in right away and start. Although Ayton is a center and that is the position starter Dusan Ristic plays, the two towers can play alongside each other and complement each other well.

The skills Ayton possesses at his size (7-foot, 250 pounds) is something you don't see too often in big men. Ayton has an impressive physique and he can get up and down the floor with ease. He is a great finisher, has quick handles and can take his game out to the perimeter.

Don't be surprised to see Miller use him the same way he used Markkanen.

There is a reason, after all, why NBA scouts love his game.

For Wildcats' head coach Sean Miller, he has yet another pro prospect to mold and develop. For Ayton, he can't wait to learn under Miller and get to work.
Ayton expressed that he appreciates the humility Miller carries around with him, and that he and his family have forged a solid connection with the veteran coach.

"We met up and had lunch (recently) and spent time catching up," Ayton said. "He's not pressuring me about next year. We have this special bond together as coach and player."

"With him, he is a very humble man," Ayton added. "You can tell he's very competitive but he's humble. He's a great guy. My family loves him. He's not a man who thinks he's up there. He treats people as equals and he's honest."

With the Wildcats losing in bitter fashion to Xavier in the Sweet 16, Ayton is excited at the opportunity to once and for all get Miller and Arizona to the Final Four. Considering Miller will also return the backcourt of Jackson Parker-Cartwright and Allonzo Trier, as well as possibly retaining the services of combo guard Rawle Alkins—who will test the NBA draft waters, but without an agent—there is a good chance this bunch of Wildcats can get Miller over the hump.

Not to mention, three four-star talents (Alex Barcello, Brandon Randolph and Ira Lee) will join Ayton in Miller's outstanding 2017 recruiting class—a class 247 Sports currently ranks as the third-best in the nation. Way-too-early polls forecast Arizona to once again be the cream of the crop in the Pac-12 with many labeling them the top team in the country.

Ayton is excited to be a part of the chase to be the first Final Four team under Miller's watch.

"I'm going to try to bring my all," Ayton said. "I want to be the best player I can be. I'm not going to rush through anything with this one-and-done stuff. I'm just gonna take my steps and get better."

By all accounts, Ayton is going to play at least one year at Arizona. His journey should be fun to watch and the future for this great talent is paved with endless possibilities.

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