Tag: Nigel Hayes

LOOK: Wisconsin Badger greats train with USA Basketball, NBA’s biggest stars

LOOK: Wisconsin Badger greats train with USA Basketball, NBA’s biggest stars

Former Wisconsin basketball greats Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter continue to train with the USA Men’s Basketball team as it prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The two are part of the USA Select Team, a group of current and former college basketball stars who serve as USA Basketball’s ‘practice squad’ during its Olympic preparation.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Importantly, they get to train alongside NBA greats including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo.

Both Potter and Hayes-Davis are looking for a permanent role at the NBA level. Potter currently plays for the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, while Hayes-Davis has become a star in the Turkish League. This opportunity should help the two make a possible return to the NBA.

 

The two former Badgers have been on the bench for USA Basketball’s exhibition wins over Canada and Australia. Potter even saw action in the former, hitting a corner three-pointer in the game’s final minutes.

The two will continue to train with the team as the 2024 Olympic Games draw closer.

Next up for USA Basketball is an exhibition contest against Serbia at Noon ET on July 17. Then a few games next week in the United Kingdom before beginning the 2024 Olympic Games on July 28.

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Two former Wisconsin Badgers included in viral photo at USA Basketball practice

Two former Wisconsin Badgers included in viral photo at USA Basketball practice

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter were part of a viral photo from USA Basketball practice on Tuesday.

They were pictured with the rest of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team along with Vice President Kamala Harris, who was visiting the team’s practice. Also pictured are NBA legends Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and others. Understandably, it led many to wonder how Hayes-Davis and Potter fit into the picture.

Harris’ visit coincided with the final day of the team’s training camp at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center. The vice president first greeted head coach Steve Kerr, then ventured onto the court to greet the 12-man squad and select practice players Potter, Hayes-Davis and Langston Galloway.

As members of the 2024 USA Select Team, Potter and Hayes-Davis served as practice players to play against the Olympic team during their preparation period in Las Vegas, Nevada. Neither Potter nor Hayes saw the court for the Select Team, but each remained on the hardwood after practice to get extra shots up.

That is likely how they were included in the photo next to some of the best basketball players of all time.

Hayes-Davis recently won the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko and dropped a Turkish Airlines Euroleague record 50 points this season. He has made NBA pit stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

During his four-year tenure at UW, the small forward was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) and first-team All-Big Ten (2016).

Potter, meanwhile, represents the Utah Jazz’ G League affiliate, the Salt Lake Stars. He averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 52 games for the Badgers from 2019-21.

Both are looking for an opportunity to stick on an NBA roster.

Two former Wisconsin Badgers make 2024 USA Basketball select team

Two former Wisconsin Badgers make 2024 USA Basketball select team

Former Wisconsin Badgers Micah Potter and Nigel Hayes both made the 2024 USA Basketball select team on Friday.

The full team also includes Jalen Duran, Cooper Flagg, Langston Galloway, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaime Jaquez, Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Brandin Podziemski, Payton Pritchard, Jabari Smith, Jalen Suggs and Amen Thompson.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

This collection of mostly former college basketball stars will train with the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team as it prepares for the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The group specifically consists of 12 current NBA or G League players, two players with NBA, G League, international or USA Basketball experience, plus one incoming college freshman with USA Basketball experience. It will be coached by Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley.

Hayes recently won the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko. His professional basketball journey has included stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, plus time in Turkey, Lithuania and Spain.

Potter, meanwhile, has been in the G League since beginning his professional career in 2021. He currently plays for the Salt Lake Stars — the affiliate of the Utah Jazz.

This selection represents a valuable opportunity for the two former Badger stars as they work toward returning to an NBA court.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Former Wisconsin basketball star wins Turkish League Championship

Former Wisconsin basketball star wins Turkish League Championship

Former Wisconsin basketball standout Nigel Hayes-Davis captured a Turkish League Championship and MVP honors in Turkey’s Basketbol SĂĽper Ligi Finals last week.

Following 30 weeks of competition representing Fenerbahçe Beko in Istanbul, the former Badger star helped his squad defeat Anadolu Efes, another Istanbul-based team, in the top men’s professional basketball division of the Turkish basketball league system.

The Toledo, Ohio, native averaged over 17 points per game en route to finals MVP honors, including a 28-point performance in an 11-point Game 1 victory.

Earlier this season, the 6-foot-8 forward dropped 50 points against ALBA Berlin, breaking the all-time single-game scoring record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Hayes-Davis arrived Istanbul in July 2022 after a one-year stint with FC Barcelona, with which he averaged 4.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 37 games (16 starts) en route to winning the Spanish Cup. Before venturing oversees, he also appeared in nine NBA contests during brief stints with the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers

During his four-year tenure at UW, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) and first-team All-Big Ten (2016).

On This Date: Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig nails buzzer-beating to push Badgers into Sweet 16

Favorite Wisconsin March Madness memory?

In just two days, Greg Gard’s No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers will look to generate some magic against No. 12 James Madison in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Ahead of its 27th tournament appearance in program history, Wisconsin has experienced its share of electricity during March Madness. Whether it be Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker leading the charge in 2015 or the unexpected Final Four appearance under head coach Dick Bennett in 2000, the Badgers have traditionally known what it takes to win.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

Perhaps the most memorable late-game tournament moment arrived on this day eight years ago when Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig nailed a buzzer-beater to lift the No. 7-seed Badgers over No. 2 Xavier. The corner snipe clinched the Badgers’ spot in the Sweet Sixteen — a round the program hasn’t reached since 2017.

Wisconsin found itself trailing Xavier by nine points with just under six minutes to spare in the contest. The Badgers would go on to tie the game at 63  after a quick run led by Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and Jordan Hill. 

Then, with the game tied and two seconds remaining, Greg Gard called an inbounds play to Koenig in the corner. The rest is history.

Former Badgers F Nigel Hayes Inks One-Year Pro Deal in Turkey

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko:

Last week, former Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko.

The 6-foot-8 F arrives in Istanbul after a one-year stint with FC Barcelona, where he averaged 4.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 37 games (16 starts) en route to winning the Spanish Cup.

Hayes, now 27 years old, has spent three seasons playing in the Euro League after going undrafted in 2017. He’s also made nine appearances in the NBA during brief stints with the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Lakers.

The former Badger played for the University of Wisconsin from 2014-17, compiling an impressive resume that included a Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), 2x Third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017), and First-team All-Big Ten (2016).

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes signs with FC Barcelona BĂ squet

The former Wisconsin star has a new pro home:

Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes is headed to the best European league in basketball. Last week, Hayes signed a one-year deal with FC Barcelona in the Spanish Liga ACB.

Hayes has spent the last few years overseas, and the last two years with Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas. The former Badger will team up with NBA great Pau Gasol, former NBA players in Alex Abriens and Nikola Mirotic, among others.

The 6-foot-8 forward has had a few short stints in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings. Hayes will look to help Barcelona to an ACB championship come this season.

 

Report: Boston Celtics have interest in former Wisconsin star Nigel Hayes

The former Badger could earn another NBA stint:

Frank Kaminsky may not be the lone Wisconsin Badger in the NBA for long. The Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in signing Nigel Hayes per Forbes Sports’ Chris Grenham. Hayes, who starred at Wisconsin from 2013-2017, went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Hayes, now 26, has played around Europe over the past few seasons, most recently with BC Zalgiris in Lithuania. At 6-foot-8, the former Badger fits in as a do-it-all type of forward who is comfortable with the ball in his hands on the wing.

The biggest question for Hayes in Madison centered around his shooting, but those questions have largely been answered in Europe. This past season, the former Badger shot 44% from three and over 89% from the line.

He has played sparingly in the NBA, with brief stints for the Raptors, Lakers, and Kings as well as a G-League stint with the Knicks.

Smith: Celtics’ Nigel Hayes pursuit may come down to availability of guaranteed roster spot

The EuroLeague forward reportedly has competitive offers overseas.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith, the Boston Celtics reported interest in EuroLeague wing Nigel Hayes may come down to whether the team has an available, fully-guaranteed roster spot.

The 6-foot-8 swingman worked out with the team recently, and there are multiple reports of mutual interest between Hayes and the Celtics. The sharpshooting Wisconsin product has competitive offers in Europe per multiple sources, suggesting more than a two way spot would need to be offered to the former Badger to secure his services in Boston for 2020-21.

Given the Celtics’ offseason could well see some consolidation around the edges of the roster, there may be space for the Ohio native yet beyond that created by the potential exit of a number of rotational free agents.

Having averaged 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from beyond the arc last season with Lithuanian club Zalgiris, the interest from Boston is obvious given he plays a position of need for the team.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Report: Boston Celtics interested in signing Euroleague forward Nigel Hayes

The sharpshooting Wisconsin product is reportedly also interested in joining Boston next season.

The Boston Celtics are interested in bringing on EuroLeague wing and Wisconsin product Nigel Hayes per Forbes Sports’ Chris Grenham, with the 6-foot-8, 26-year-old forward returning the interest after working out with the Celtics this week.

Hayes averaged 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest with Zalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League and EuroLeague last season while shooting 44.3% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line, potentially providing a potential lower-usage, low-cost option at the three and the four in the Celtics’ rotation. Given the team’s lack of proven depth at the power forward position, Hayes could be an intriguing solution that won’t beat up the team’s cap sheet too much.

Given the club’s rapidly rising payroll cost with star forward Jayson Tatum’s rookie extension kicking in and their designs on re-signing veteran shooting guard Evan Fournier, such a move makes a lot of sense if the team believes the Ohio native can stay on the floor at the NBA level.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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