Photos: The many faces of Karl Malone Award winner Deandre Ayton from Wildcats' 2017-18 season
Deandre Ayton earned several prestigious honors playing for the Arizona Wildcats in 2017-18, capped Friday night by the Karl Malone Award for the nation's top power forward. Here are a few of his many faces throughout a historic season at the UA.
Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue scrimmage
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) works around Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14).
Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue scrimmage
Arizona’s 7-foot-1-inch freshman Deandre Ayton, right, is expected to be a top-3 pick in June's NBA Draft.
Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue scrimmage
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) soared in the dunk contest before the 2017-18 Red-Blue Game.
Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue scrimmage
Arizona’s Deandre Ayton went from the Bahamas to San Diego to Phoenix before coming to play at Arizona. “I made Arizona my home,” he said.
University of Arizona vs Eastern New Mexico
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) polishes off a Wildcat fast break with a big two-handed dunk against Eastern New Mexico in opening minutes of the first half for their exhibition game at McKale Center, Wednesday November 2, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Cal State Bakersfield
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) drives by Cal State Bakersfield guard Damiyne Durham (23) to the basket in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Thursday November 16, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Long Beach State
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) gets fouled from behind by Long Beach State forward Temidayo Yussuf (4) while looking for path to the basket in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Wednesday November 29, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Long Beach State
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) left, and forward Ira Lee (11) can't believe they picked up a foul against Long Beach State in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Wednesday November 29, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
No. 17 Arizona Wildcats 84, No. 3 Arizona State Sun Devils 78
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) roars after an and-one dunk during the second half.
No. 17 Arizona Wildcats 84, No. 3 Arizona State Sun Devils 78
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) slams it home and draws and draws the and-one in the second half.
No. 17 Arizona Wildcats 84, No. 3 Arizona State Sun Devils 78
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) roars after a dunk and-one.
University of Arizona vs Colorado
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) comes down with an award rebound against Colorado forward Dallas Walton (35) and Colorado guard Tyler Bey (1) in the second half of their Pac-12 game at the Coors Event Center, Saturday, January 6, 2018, Boulder, Colo.
University of Arizona vs Colorado
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts after missing a put-back shot under the basket against Colorado during the first half in their Pac-12 game at the Coors Event Center, Saturday, January 6, 2018, Boulder, Colo.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) goes airborne on his way to a dunk against Oregon State in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, Thursday, January 11, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
No. 17 Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Oregon Ducks
Arizona got Ayton the ball in scoring position just 16 times against Oregon, often double- or triple-teamed.
No. 17 Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Oregon Ducks
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) strips Oregon Ducks forward MiKyle McIntosh (22) of the ball but was whistled for a foul during the second half of the No. 17 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Oregon Ducks men's college basketball game at McKale Center on Jan. 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won 90-83.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State Cougars college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) smiles after a play during the first half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State University Cougars college basketball game on Jan. 31, 2018, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State Cougars college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) looks to pass near the arc during the first half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State University Cougars college basketball game on Jan. 31, 2018, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington Huskies college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) winds up for a pre-game dunk before the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies college basketball game on Feb. 3, 2018, at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington Huskies college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) bemoans a Wildcat turnover that tipped off his fingers during the first half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies college basketball game on Feb. 3, 2018, at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington Huskies college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) voices his displeasure at drawing an offensive foul during the second half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies college basketball game on Feb. 3, 2018, at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash. Washington won 78-75 on a game-winning three-pointer from forward Dominic Green.
No. 9 Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington Huskies college basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) buries a pair during the first half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies college basketball game on Feb. 3, 2018, at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.
Arizona vs Oregon
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) screams out in a moment that gets him pumped in the second half during a game at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon on Feb. 24, 2018. Oregon won in overtime 98-93.
Univesity of Arizona vs Stanford
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) comes to the bench with a bloody lip after catching an elbow against Stanford in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, Thursday, March 1, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona 66, California 54
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) sticks his tongue out as he parades his piece of net.
P12 Colorado Arizona Basketball
Colorado's Lucas Siewert, right, shoots while covered by Arizona's Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 83-67.
P12 UCLA Arizona Basketball
Arizona's Deandre Ayton (13) celebrates after scoring during overtime against UCLA in the semifinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament, March 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 78-67.
P12 UCLA Arizona Basketball
Arizona's Deandre Ayton, right, celebrates an overtime win with a teammate following the team's NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in the semifinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Friday, March 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 78-67.
P12 USC Arizona Basketball
Arizona's Deandre Ayton reacts after a dunk against Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the Pac-12 men's tournament championship Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 75-61. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
P12 USC Arizona Basketball
Arizona's Deandre Ayton dunks against Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the Pac-12 men's tournament championship Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 75-61.
Arizona Wildcats in NCAA
Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) switches roles and tries to interview Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) before an open practice at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho on March 14, 2018.
Arizona Wildcats in NCAA
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) eyes the basket before taking a shot during an open practice at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho on March 14, 2018.
No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 13 seed Buffalo Bulls
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) is flanked by Buffalo Bulls guard Dontay Caruthers (22) and Buffalo Bulls forward Montell McRae (1) in the first half during the first round NCAA South Region game at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho on March 15, 2018.
No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 13 seed Buffalo Bulls
Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) is defended by Buffalo Bulls forward Nick Perkins (33) and Buffalo Bulls guard Dontay Caruthers (22) in the second half during the first round NCAA South Region game at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho on March 15, 2018. Buffalo won 89-68.
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