Arizona's Deandre Ayton earns Pac
Deandre Ayton
Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton has been named player and newcomer of the year on the All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball team announced Tuesday by The Associated Press. Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak was named coach of the year.
 Ayton  was one of the nation's top incoming recruits when  he  arrived in Tucson and lived up to expectations during a stellar freshman season with the 15th-ranked Wildcats.
" He 's a once in a generation player " Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "I doubt if I'll coach anyone like  him  again."
The 7-foot-1  260-pound big man from the Bahamas became the first Pac-12 freshman in 25 years to average at least 19 points and 11 rebounds  finishing with 19.9 points and 11.4 rebounds during the regular season.  Ayton  is the second freshman to lead the conference in rebounding  joining California's Leon Power in 2004.
 Ayton  shot 61 percent from the floor and was a force on the defensive end as well  finishing with 59 blocked shots to tie for seventh-most in conference history by a freshman.
Behind Ayton and first-team all-Pac-12 guard Allonzo Trier  Arizona overcame a season of turmoil to win its fifth Pac-12 title in six years.  Ayton  is projected to be a top-five pick in this year's NBA draft.
 Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13)  drives against California forward Marcus Lee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday  March 3  2018  in Tucson   Ariz. Arizona  defeated California 66-54. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
u-Deandre Ayton   Arizona   F  7-1  260  Fr  Nassau  Bahamas
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton shoots over California center Kingsley Okoroh (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game  Saturday  March 3  2018  in Tucson  Ariz. Arizona defeated California 66-54. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
[TGT]  has been named player and newcomer of the year on the All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball team announced Tuesday by The Associated Press. Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak was named coach of the year.
  [TGT] was one of the nation's top incoming recruits when   [TGT]   arrived in Tucson and lived up to expectations during a stellar freshman season with the 15th-ranked Wildcats.
"  [TGT]  's a once in a generation player " Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "I doubt if I'll coach anyone like   [TGT]   again."
The 7-foot-1  260-pound big man from the Bahamas became the first Pac-12 freshman in 25 years to average at least 19 points and 11 rebounds  finishing with 19.9 points and 11.4 rebounds during the regular season.   [TGT] is the second freshman to lead the conference in rebounding  joining California's Leon Power in 2004.
  [TGT] shot 61 percent from the floor and was a force on the defensive end as well  finishing with 59 blocked shots to tie for seventh-most in conference history by a freshman.
Behind Ayton and first-team all-Pac-12 guard Allonzo Trier  Arizona overcame a season of turmoil to win its fifth Pac-12 title in six years.   [TGT] is projected to be a top-five pick in this year's NBA draft.
  [TGT] drives against California forward Marcus Lee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday  March 3  2018  in Tucson    [TGT] defeated California 66-54. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
u-Deandre Ayton   Arizona   F  7-1  260  Fr  Nassau  Bahamas
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton shoots over California center Kingsley Okoroh (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game  Saturday  March 3  2018  in Tucson   [TGT]  defeated California 66-54. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)