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Arizona big man Deandre Ayton leaving early for NBA

Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reaches for a loose ball during a first-round game against Buffalo in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. Buffalo won 89-68. (Otto Kitsinger / Associated Press)
Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. – 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.

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.