Former No. 1 pick aims to 'change the narrative' surrounding him this season

Deandre Ayton's career hasn't taken off the way most expected after the Phoenix Suns selected him first overall in 2018, but the 24-year-old is determined to turn things around.

Ayton, who was drafted ahead of All-Stars Luka Dončić, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has dealt with plenty of adversity in his early years. Aside from being the center of trade talks and his difficult relationship with his former HC Monty Williams, Ayton has been subjected to harsh criticism over his performance and effort.

Now that he has a new coach and a star-studded supporting cast that includes Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Ayton is ready to finally move forward. During a recent interview with Eyewitness News Bahamas, Ayton opened up about the public's perception of him and how he intends to "change the narrative" surrounding him this season.  

"I can feel the whole world hating me in a way," Ayton admitted. "I'm the guy a lot of people point at and I see it and feel it, but mainly what I've been working on five to six days a week since we've lost is just motivating myself to change the narrative of what people think about me.”

"No matter how you put it, I feel like I have no fans out there and I can feel it because the whole world is saying it," Ayton continued. "My goal over the summer is to change the narrative. Just unlock whatever it is and just completely just focus on me and change the whole thing."