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.
.@VP Kamala Harris 🤝 🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/xJKLeteg0Z
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 10, 2024
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.