Deandre Ayton announced he will leave Arizona for the 2018 NBA Draft.

"I learned a lot and built relationships on this team," Ayton said. "This is the only team that I actually loved. Being a Wildcat is amazing.

"I think it's the right thing to do, right now. I think I'm ready for the NBA. ... I just have to finish off school right and just work this summer and play for the draft."

Ayton is projected to be the first or second pick in the draft.

Ayton said he made his decision to turn pro with his family during the summer after his senior year of high school. 

While Luka Doncic has received a lot of buzz as a potential No. 1 pick, a number of scouts within the NBA believe it will be DeAndre Ayton.

One scout said the chances of Ayton being picked first overall is approximately 95 percent.

“He’s the anomaly,” said another veteran NBA scout. “The guys in our league would get a chuckle out of [there being no consensus in the mock drafts]. Deandre Ayton is the freakiest of them all.”

Sean Miller said the most consistent feedback he’s gotten about Ayton is the rare confluence of his raw athleticism, soft touch and versatility. “It’s the combination that’s striking,” Miller said. “There’s a uniqueness to him.”

“When there’s a guy like Joel Embiid available, that’s still viewed as the rarest thing out there,” said one scout. “The most special thing.”

ESPN has moved DeAndre Ayton into the top overall slot in their top 100 prospects for 2018 list.

Ayton has arguably had his best two games of the season over the past 10 days since it was reported Sean Miller allegedly spoke with agent Christian Dawkins about paying the Arizona freshman.

Ayton supplants Luka Doncic in the top spot.

Ayton is averaging 19.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 33.2 minutes per game this season to go with a PER of 30.2.