New billboard in Phoenix shows the future of Suns basketball

It didn’t take long for the Phoenix Suns to show the Valley their new big three following the 2018 NBA Draft.

In less than 12 hours the @Suns had a billboard up showcasing their new Big 3: DeAndre Ayton, Devin Booker and Josh Jackson. pic.twitter.com/Z2M0tISKI3

— Pedro Gomez (@pedrogomezESPN) June 22, 2018

According to ESPN’s Pedro Gomez — who captured the photo — the billboard featuring No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, guard Devin Booker and forward Josh Jackson was put up along Interstate 10 on Friday following the draft, just west of State Route 143 in Phoenix.

“Time to Rise” is a featured message on the billboard, an ode to what many NBA pundits and Suns fans believe was a power move by Phoenix when drafting Ayton, putting the years of tanking behind them in an effort to re-establish the winning culture of the franchise.

The Suns’ intention of drafting the former Arizona center was made clear following a private workout on June 6, when general manager Ryan McDonough couldn’t help but show his excitement for what he called “one of the top-five talents” he has ever scouted.

“He was the clear front-runner all along,” McDonough told 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf on Friday. “Obviously, growing up here in Phoenix, playing at Hillcrest (Prep) a little bit and playing at the UofA, we watched him very closely. He’s such a unique player, such unique talent, he’s a guy we fixated on for a long time.

“He was the leader in the clubhouse all the way through the process.”

Ayton only spent one season under in Tucson, but he made it clear early on he was the best player in the country.

The 7-foot-1, 250-pounder averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, earning Pac-12 Player and Freshman of the Year honors.

Along with Ayton, the Suns added three other play-makers on draft night.

A last-minute trade had Phoenix draft Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith at No. 16, sending him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Villanova swingman Mikal Bridges, their 10th overall pick.

The 76ers also received Miami’s 2021 first-round pick for Bridges, which Phoenix originally acquired in the deal for Goran Dragic.

France point guard Elie Okobo and Colorado forward George King will also be added to the mix after the Suns picked them at Nos. 31 and 59, respectively.

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