Why Phoenix Suns star Deandre Ayton can’t live without video games

It’s a Monday afternoon at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, and Suns center Deandre Ayton is locked in.

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. Right now, at this very moment, the most pressing thing on his mind is which video game he’ll play first.

Ayton, 23, is a serious gamer. Gaming has always been there for him in any form he needs: a best friend, a therapist, his No. 1 fan. Most of all, gaming provides a virtual community that has helped Ayton navigate the challenges he battles in the physical realm.

“I don’t think I could live without the game and that’s real talk,” Ayton says.

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. 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. A childlike gleam fills Ayton’s eyes and a subtle smirk crosses his lips. Ayton cues his go-to game: NBA 2K22.

In the game’s lobby, Ayton selects from one of about 10 Deandre Aytons he’s created at nearly every position on the court. He enters a game, searching for his headset to hear what’s being said by his virtual teammates and opposing players.

“I want these dudes to talk s***!”

Ayton 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. He pauses.

“Wait, where’s my tiger?”