Deandre Ayton is a dad now? What?!?!

If you haven’t heard by now, the starting center for your Phoenix Suns had a son over the All-Star break.

When asked by Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated what he did during the pause in action, 22-year old Deandre Ayton — the baby of the Suns rotation — let everyone know his big news. Which does not include any breaks. Or pauses. However, it does feature a happy heart and a new outlook.

“I was busy delivering my firstborn, to be honest. I was in the hospital the whole time. I was just busy doing that. It’s different, my whole life. If you really want to be a good dad, it’s some pressure. And I named him after me, so I got a legacy for him to continue for me. So I got a lot to do.”

It sounds like he definitely has the right mindset as he begins his new journey. Becoming a father definitely changes your entire life and there is a lot of pressure to be at your absolute best. Ayton wants to build a legacy and that’s nothing but good news for the Suns, Deandre Ayton, Jr. and himself.

He was also reminded of the times he was suspended for 25 games for using diuretics and for being late to a game in the Bubble because he missed a Covid-19 test.

“All that stuff is really in your head because now I have a son. It’s a whole different ballgame. I can’t even express what the real feeling is, to be honest. I just know there’s a whole chip on my shoulder where it’s not just basketball, but life.”

He knows he messed up and needs to do better. The man wants to show he’s capable on and off the court. I have nothing but respect for him and others with that “chip on their shoulder”.

The new father has been quick to point out that he’s had no sleep in his first days of daddy life, but he loves it.

“Just trying to figure out the schedule, waking up at 3 a.m. and going back to sleep for another two hours. Just getting the hang of that.”

Good luck, DA. It’s not easy but I have faith you can find a way to rest up and be ready to dominate on the court before returning home to hold your bundle of joy.

Everyone, be sure to congratulate your number one pick and wish him luck with Junior.