When he played for Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, then-17-year-old Deandre Ayton told ABC15 that he and his mother, Andrea, have an unbreakable bond.
“My mom and I are very close,” he said in 2016. “Whatever happens, I always go to her and ask her questions on how to handle things.”
Two years later, Ayton would be the No. 1 overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft -- and the first thing he did with his rookie contract is buy his mom a home in the Valley.
"Her reaction was priceless," Ayton told ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "Obviously, you can't repay her for what she's done for you, but I'm trying. Trying to keep her as comfortable as possible, stress-free."
Ayton said his mother's house is located near the home of fellow Suns star Devin Booker, and within 10 minutes of Suns owner (and fellow University of Arizona alum) Robert Sarver.
Ayton, who is originally from the Bahamas, will earn over $8 million in the upcoming season, and he could earn over $41 million during the lifetime of his rookie contract with the Suns.
