NEW YORK (AP) — Deandre Ayton is the latest key component to the Phoenix Suns’ rebuilding process.

The Suns have made the University of Arizona center the first player taken in tonight’s NBA draft. Ayton averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds in his lone season in Tucson, tying for the national lead with 24 double-doubles in 35 games.

Ayton joins Michael Thompson as the only players from the Bahamas to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

The Kings followed by taking Duke’s Marvin Bagley III at No. 2. The 6-foot-11 forward was the AP’s Player of the Year after averaging 21 points and 11.1 rebounds while shooting better than 60 percent for the Blue Devils last season.

Luka Doncic of Slovenia went third to the Hawks and was quickly traded to the Mavericks for point guard Trae Young, the fifth pick in the draft. Doncic won Euroleague MVP and Final Four MVP honors while helping Spain’s Real Madrid win its league championship. Young led the nation with his averages of 27.4 points and 8.7 assists for the Sooners.

The Memphis Grizzlies used the No. 4 pick to select forward Jaren Jackson Jr. of Michigan State. Jackson is a one-and-done power forward who averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game.

The Magic picked up Texas center Mohammed Bamba with the No. 6 choice. Another Duke player went with the No. 7 choice as the Bulls took Wendell Carter Jr.

Alabama’s Collin Sexton went eighth to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks used the ninth overall selection to get Kentucky forward Kevin Knox. Knox and Sexton shared SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

Mikal Bridges thought he was staying in Philadelphia after being selected with the 10th pick, but the 76ers sent the former Villanova standout to the Suns for Zhaire Smith and an unprotected first-round choice in 2021.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves could have used their draft picks in deals to help clear space under the salary cap for potential free agent additions next month.

They needed some high-ceiling young players just as much.

Opting against any deals, the Timberwolves selected Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, targeting a tough-minded player with defensive versatility as a primary asset.

“Nothing presented itself that would be better than actually selecting at 20,” general manager Scott Layden said.

The same went for the 48th overall choice, when Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop was still available in the second round. The Big Ten Player of the Year was widely projected as a late first-round pick.

“Having a pick this year was critical for us, just to continue to grow,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We think we have to have a blend, of young players, players that are in the middle and obviously the older veterans. But having those young guys, it’s important for the team, for the growth of the organization.”