By Jordan Divens​​

The class of 2017's DeAndre Ayton was the most dominant big man at the Peach Jam. He averaged 21.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks over seven games to lead California Supreme to a 6-1 record. The highly coveted 7-footer has a strong frame to compete in the paint and has range to hit the three. Dominant on both sides of the ball, Ayton is an elite rebounder and can score in a variety of ways. 

Ayton's recruitment is heating up—he recently went on visits to Kansas and Arizona, and plans on taking additional visits to Kansas and Kentucky. While speaking with him at the Peach Jam, he listed his top three schools: Kansas, Arizona, and Kentucky​. He also said he will make a decision in the fall.

Kansas has been the most consistent team in his recruitment—the Jayhawks have shown major interest in him since his freshman year. When asked about the Jayhawks, he said, "Kansas has been there since ninth grade. They show me a lot of love—sending me letters and stuff like that. They have been coming to every game since I was in ninth grade, and that's big, man. I want to see the full experience at Kansas. I saw their weight room and stuff like that, but I want to see the whole campus. I might take visits [to Kansas and Kentucky] after the Peach Jam because I might be done with AAU after Peach Jam; I'm tired."


The other two teams, Arizona and Kentucky, recently came on strong in the recruiting Ayton. The big man has already visited Arizona, and plans to visit Kentucky in the near future. 

"Arizona and Kentucky came along. Kentucky has always been there, but they just started engaging into my recruitment," Ayton said. "I just took an unofficial visit to Arizona in June, and I like it out there—it's pretty nice. They really caught my eye when they said I can be their first, first overall draft pick coming out of college, and that's history. It really caught my eye."

The discussion around Ayton going to the NBA or overseas after high school is over, according to his mother.

"My mom wants me to go to college, so I have to go. I also really want the experience; I really want a national championship, to be honest," said Ayton.

All three of the schools on his list would give him the opportunity to compete for a national title at the next level. For now, three of the most prestigious universities in the country will have to continue compete for the services of the nation's top big man.