Suns Center Deandre Ayton Feels 'Whole World' Hating Him

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is currently out in the Bahamas working out and enjoying his time away from the rugged heat of the Valley. The former No. 1 pick donated $10,000 to Junior Achievement Bahamas and is set to contribute more across the world of education in his native stomping grounds.

Naturally, Ayton is an easygoing person. He enjoys his life and tends to have fun when out on the court, both before and during games.

However, he's often viewed as a scapegoat for those same reasons as the Suns have fallen short of their postseason goals in recent memory - something that's clearly impacted him.

During an interview with Eyewitness News Bahamas, Ayton got candid about his feelings:

"I can feel the whole world hating me," Ayton said.

"I'm the guy a lot of people point at, and I see it and I feel it. Mainly I've been working out five or six days a week since we've lost. It's 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 here. I can feel it, because the whole world is saying it. My goal over the summer is to change the narrative. Just unlock whatever it is and completely focus on me."

Full clip:

SPORTS: “I can feel the whole world hating me,” Deandre Ayton.

Phoenix Suns Center Deandre Ayton opens up about last season and says he aims to “change the narrative” when he returns to the court in October. pic.twitter.com/2vMbE1tc5E
— Eyewitness News Bahamas (@ewnewsbahamas) July 19, 2023

There's hope that new Suns coach Frank Vogel can help maximize Ayton, which is something he's discussed since taking the job.

“I’m off to a great start with him from a relationship standpoint, in terms of understanding that if we want him to defend and rebound at an All-Star level, then we’re going to have to involve him a little more in the offense. That’s just basketball 101. You learn that as a youngster,” Vogel said to Sirius XM NBA Radio.

“You got to give those big guys the ball sometimes. When they get it, then they’ll run through the wall for you on the other end. I think we’re off to a great start with that - he’s going to be a big part of what we do.”