![]() "It's so hard for me to sleep after long games, especially big, long games," Ayton explains. On game days, Ayton is focused, but that schedule still includes time for video games. Then it's back home to finish talking trash and practicing moves on the virtual court. There's time for a quick round of gaming after eating breakfast, then he's off to practice. after only getting about two hours of sleep. "I don't know how I did it this year because I got a child, but I did it," Ayton says.Īyton typically wakes up around 6 a.m. Ayton believes he's the only NBA player to become a Legend. This is how Ayton reached Legend status, an achievement that occurs by reaching Level 40 for four seasons in the game. But then, every day, he'll settle down for several hours - at least four or five - to play NBA 2K. He says that family comes first for him - as the father of a 1-year-old, Ayton always makes time for his son, Deandre Jr., and girlfriend, Anissa Evans. It's clear watching Ayton play NBA 2K on the big screen that he's a dedicated gamer. ![]() "I go out there and I try to do the same thing." "It's almost like going on YouTube and watching your favorite player and you doing the same thing you see him do consistently or you see Kobe do the same fade. The dunks, the blocks and overall display of domination on the court - he's averaging 18.8 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game this postseason - usually begin with practicing on his PS5. In real life, Deandre Ayton isn't afraid to follow the cues of his virtual doppelgänger. On the NBA 2K court, Dominayton is the leader, a thrill-seeker who will try all the new moves that will either earn props from peers or send him back to the playbook. As silly as the outfit appears, there is a certain swagger and confidence about the computerized Deandre Ayton that feels vaguely familiar. Tiger was the nickname his mother gave to him as a child. He enters a game, searching for his headset to hear what's being said by his virtual teammates and opposing players.Īyton dresses his player in a silver, shimmering suit, blinged-out jewelry that resembles his real-life pieces, black Crocs and a pair of purple googly-eyed glasses to walk around The Neighborhood. In the game's lobby, Ayton selects from one of about 10 Deandre Aytons he's created at nearly every position on the court. ![]() A childlike gleam fills Ayton's eyes and a subtle smirk crosses his lips. The lounge has been transformed into Ayton's personal game room, complete with his new ASUS gaming PC and favorite PS5 connected to a screen that spans 34 feet across and 20 feet high. In the middle of the Annexus Social Club, a lounge hidden in plain sight for VIP ticket holders to cheer for their favorite team, Ayton stands with his controller in hand, scanning the list of games preloaded to his PlayStation 5: World War Z: Aftermath Fortnite Call of Duty: Warzone Season 2 Grand Theft Auto V. "I don't think I could live without the game and that's real talk," Ayton says. Most of all, gaming provides a virtual community that has helped Ayton navigate the challenges he battles in the physical realm. Gaming has always been there for him in any form he needs: a best friend, a therapist, his No. Right now, at this very moment, the most pressing thing on his mind is which video game he'll play first.Īyton, 23, is a serious gamer. He's not focused on his team's upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers the next day, thinking ahead to a playoff run, or worrying about his contract negotiations with the Suns. ![]() It's a Monday afternoon at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, and Suns center Deandre Ayton is locked in. NBA, esports, null, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks Why Phoenix Suns star Deandre Ayton can't live without video games You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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