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2017 NBA Draft: The Biggest Winners From The NCAA Tournament’s Opening Weekend

By Mason McFee

Feb 26, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) celebrates after a basket in the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) celebrates after a basket in the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) dribbles around the defense of Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) in the second half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) dribbles around the defense of Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) in the second half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Nigel Hayes, Small Forward, Wisconsin

I’m going to slot Hayes in here because this is the position I project him to play at the next level, but he does have the capability to play as a small-ball 4; or even 5 in extreme circumstances.

Hayes stands at 6-foot-8, 240 lbs, so he can handle his own defensively. I can’t help but be reminded of Harrison Barnes watching him play, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

Here’s what I wrote after watching Hayes versus Virginia Tech:

  • Has the athletic ability to dominate, doesn’t
  • Not very assertive, but also doesn’t get the ball a lot
  • When he has a mismatch, he won’t call for the ball
  • Terrible free throw shooter normally, but shot great tonight (8/9)
  • Has good footwork in the post, but again, didn’t get the ball down there a lot

You notice the theme? Does the Barnes comparison makes sense now? No? Let me break it down for you.

Barnes coming out of college was hyped up. He was a top prospect, and was supposed to be a featured, go-to offensive option no matter where he landed. Because he was on Golden State, those expectations were magnified; hence why he was torn into during his disappearing act in last year’s Finals. In Dallas this year, he’s done a lot to reverse that narrative, but some are still skeptical if he can be consistent; which, for the record, is not fair. Get over it people. Golden State misses him, even when KD was healthy.

Now, Hayes isn’t an top-tier prospect like a Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson, but it doesn’t mean he can’t be a really good player at the next level. During Wisconsin’s game against Florida, watch Hayes. Watch him when he has a mismatch, watch him when he has the ball in his hands. Chances are he won’t call for ball, or will pass it to a teammate. He’s not very assertive, but he can score: Prime Example) 19 points against Villanova, including a clutch go-ahead basket in the game’s final minutes.

A la Barnes, when he’s featured and it works, it’s great. When he doesn’t, he is told to take his normal 10.6 FGA a game.

Like Bacon, Hayes may never be a stater, but he’s shown he can more than handle his own guarding multiple positions on quick switches, and can stretch opponents’ defenses. I think if given the right opportunity, he can really thrive. He’s one of the safer prospects in this year’s draft class.