Nigel Hayes (PF, Wisconsin)
Measurables: 6’7.5”, 7’3” wingspan, 254 lbs, 22.4 years old
Strengths
- Extremely long arms help him make up for lack of height
- Played his best as a role player during sophomore season
- Solid defensive metrics
- Utilizes strength well on drives
- Role player potential at the NBA level
- Heady with passes and shot fakes
- Draws a ton of fouls
- Strength and length helps him in post
- Smart player all-around
- Slides his feet well, uses length to contest
Weaknesses
- Had a disappointing final 2 seasons at Wisconsin
- Free throw shooting tailed off during senior season (74% to 59%)
- 3 point regression from sophomore to junior and senior years
- Not really a shot blocker even with elite wingspan
- 37% FG shooting during junior season was awful
- Takes a lot of ill-advised mid range shots
- Somewhat inconsistent jumper mechanics
- Already 22 years old
- Average rebounder
Overall
- Hayes was a hot name after his sophomore season, playing an important complementary role alongside Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker on a Wisconsin team that made the national title game. However, he struggled taking a lead role on Wisconsin the last 2 seasons as his efficiency dipped. Still, he’s got a lot of potential as a role player at the NBA level if he can regain his sophomore form, and he projects as a plus defensive player at the 4, with great quickness and length. It’s a matter of him figuring out his shot, but he’s a really smart player who can make the right play, even as he’s only posted middling efficiency the past couple seasons.
- TAGS
- 2017 NBA Draft
- Nigel Hayes
- Scouting Report
- Wisconsin
