Tag: Nigel Hayes-Davis

NBA legend Kevin Durant says former Wisconsin basketball star ‘has the talent to be in the NBA’

Two-time NBA Finals MVP endorses former Wisconsin basketball star

NBA legend Kevin Durant believes Wisconsin basketball great Nigel Hayes-Davis can make a return to the NBA.

“I think he has talent to be in the NBA,” Durant told reporters Friday. “He’s shown that in college. He’s shown that playing in the EuroLeague. Hopefully, he gets his opportunity, but if anything, he just loves to play. He’ll go out there and work on his game until he can’t anymore. So hopefully he’s in the league soon.”

Hayes-Davis, a member of the 2024 USA Select Team, has been traveling with the 2024 U.S. Men’s National Team since its training camp commenced in Las Vegas. The crew is gearing up for a showcase game in London’s O2 Arena against South Sudan on July 20.

The former Badger captured a Turkish League Championship and MVP honors in Turkey’s Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals in June after averaging over 17 points per game during the final series.

Hayes-Davis also showcased his knack for scoring while oversees. The 6-foot-8 forward dropped 50 points against ALBA Berlin earlier this season to set the single-game scoring record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

During his collegiate tenure in Madison, 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). He appeared in nine NBA contests during the 2018 season for the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

To receive praise from one of the NBA’s most gifted scorers of all time is nothing short of remarkable. Who knows how much the endorsement could mean to front offices. What remains certain, however, is Hayes-Davis’ relentless commitment to his craft.

LOOK: Former Badgers practice with USA Men’s National Team in Abu Dhabi, UAE

LOOK: Former Badgers practice with USA Men’s National Team in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter have wrapped up their stint in Abu Dhabi, UAE with the USA Men’s Basketball Team prior to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The team will now venture to London, England for an exhibition match against South Sudan on July 20 at 2:00 p.m. central. Hayes-Davis and Potter have been practicing with the team since the team’s training camp commenced in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 6.

Despite seeing minutes in previous exhibition games, the former Badgers are not members of the 12-man Men’s National Team. They, alongside USA Basketball veteran Langston Galloway, are members of the 2024 USA Select Team responsible for helping the Olympic-bound crew ramp up for the upcoming event.

Still, both Hayes-Davis and Potter have been consistently practicing alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis and Devin Booker. Kevin Durant is also a member of this group but is currently sidelined due to injury.

Potter, a Badger from 2019-21, has made two three-pointers in exhibition matches against Canada and Serbia thus far.

He and Hayes-Davis will continue to work on their crafts with prospects of inking an NBA contract. Potter plays for the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, while Hayes-Davis hoops overseas in the Turkish League.

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter were featured in a recent video following a 2024 USA Men’s National Team practice in Las Vegas.

The clips showcased both Hayes-Davis and Potter participating in a half-court set and shooting drill following a practice at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.

Hayes-Davis and Potter participated as members of the 2024 USA Select Team, which also included 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.

Despite being named to the squad last month, neither player saw the court during scrimmages over the four-day practice period. Hayes-Davis and Potter did, however, consistently stay in the gymnasium following each practice window to shoot extra or walk through a half court set.

The former Badgers did appear in garbage time of Wednesday’s exhibition scrimmage for the 2024 USA Men.

Hayes-Davis, an Ohio native, recently captured the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko after dropping a Turkish Airlines Euroleague record 50 points earlier in the 2024 season. Prior to action overseas, he made NBA stops in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Toronto.

As a Badger, 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) during his four seasons in Madison.

Potter, meanwhile, represents the Salt Lake Stars in the NBA G League. The Mentor, Ohio product totaled 11.6 points and 6.1 boards per game for UW from 2019-21.

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward sets EuroLeague record

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward sets EuroLeague record

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes-Davis set a new EuroLeague record with 50 points in a game Friday.

Playing for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Hayes-Davis put on a show against ALBA Berlin, leading his team to a 103-68 victory. He surpassed Shane Larkin’s record of 49 points, setting a new all-time mark for a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game.

“I had it written in my notes at the beginning of the season that I wanted to break the scoring record this year,” Hayes-Davis said after his 50-point outing.

He finished 18-for-27 from the field while nailing nine three-pointers on 16 attempts, also chipping in five free throws on seven tries in the dominant performance.

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