SALT LAKE CITY — 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.