In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft, excitement began building around the Phoenix Suns.With a young core already in place, the Suns are coming off of three-straight abysmal seasons, but are seemingly a few years from getting back into the mix in the Western Conference.Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, TJ Warren, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender are all under team control moving forward and since the Suns held their first-ever No. 1 selection in the draft on Thursday, they had a real opportunity to make a franchise-altering pick.Although the top overall pick is obvious in some classes, it wasn’t in this draft. DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. and others were all discussed to be the top pick at some point in time.But, in the end, the Suns went with the guy that told reporters, “I know I’m going No. 1” a few weeks ago.NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Ayton’s name first.

Averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per contest during his freshman season at the University of Arizona while shooting 61.2 percent from the field, the 7’1” 19 year old will now man the post in Phoenix for years to come.

After he was drafted, he was overcome with emotion.

"It means a lot to me because the fans there are amazing, they are the best fans in the world and you know, I really want to ... I'm really happy to be a part of the Phoenix Suns now because we can really start a winning legacy with Devin Booker and Josh Jackson and all those other guys," Ayton told ESPN during an on-air interview. "You know they're great, we're a young team and we're ready. I'm just happy to be a Phoenix Sun.”

Ayton played high school ball in Phoenix and played at the University of Arizona during his one-and-done season. Therefore, his connection with the state became even stronger than it already was.

The big man also explained that he doesn’t want to stray away from what has worked for him so far: dominating the post.

"I just want to come in and be the best teammate I can be especially be the best two-way man coming in," he said. "I know the game is changing a lot, but I just want to stick to the old-school big man. Being down low and really trying to be dominant.”

Ayton has been compared to Joel Embiid. Embiid may be a little bulkier at the moment, but both are ultra-athletic for their size, have perimeter shooting touch and are talented rebounders.

Everyone seemed to accept that comparison, except Embiid himself, who tweeted out the following after Ayton’s name was called:

The Embiid/Ayton feud will most likely be entertaining moving forward, as both have eccentric personalities.

Expect Ayton to immediately crack the starting five for the Suns next season. By all indications, he will have every opportunity to gel alongside his young teammates in the hopes of reversing the course that the franchise has taken in recent years.