I’m just a kid from the Bahamas who came to the States when I was 12 years old with a dream. I can’t say anything about this journey other than that it’s God’s Plan 🙏🏾 Next Stop: 2018 NBA Draft #BullySeason #242toTheWorld pic.twitter.com/6f9igjMrU8
— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) March 21, 2018
March 21 (UPI) -- Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton said farewell to college basketball and entered his name into the 2018 NBA Draft Wednesday on social media.
"I'm just a kid from the Bahamas who came to the States when I was 12 years old with a dream," Ayton tweeted. "I can't say anything about this journey other than that it's God's Plan. Next Stop: 2018 NBA Draft. #BullySeason #242toTheWorld."
Ayton, 19, averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.6 assists this season for the Wildcats. The 2017-2018 Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year scored 14 points and had 13 rebounds in his final collegiate contest, an 89-68 loss to Buffalo in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division I men's college basketball tournament.
"I'm so blessed for the opportunity I had at Arizona, and I'm excited to announce I will be entering the 2018 NBA Draft! #BullySeason #242totheWorld," Ayton tweeted.
I’m so blessed for the opportunity I had at Arizona, and I’m excited to announce I will be entering the 2018 NBA Draft! #BullySeason #242totheWorld pic.twitter.com/HlqhsrOCoT
— Deandre Ayton (@DeandreAyton) March 21, 2018
Ayton is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Mohamed Bamba -- who announced his decision to leave Texas after his freshman season on Tuesday -- is slotted as the No. 5 overall pick.
The 2018 NBA Draft is set for 7 p.m. on June 21 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.