It’s Nigel Hayes’s third day at the NBA Combine in Chicago, and his prospects are still up in the air after a second straight day of play.
Yesterday, Hayes played in a scrimmage with the other NBA prospects. He tallied 2 points, 3 assists, and 0 rebounds in 21 minutes. Hayes had an up and down day in the drills he participated in at the combine, having a slow agility test time but running well in the three quarter sprint.
Today, Hayes participated in another scrimmage and some more drills. Hayes played 18 minutes, totaling 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 turnover. In the first scrimmage, Hayes had the highest plus-minus rating on his team in defeat, with +5. Today, he had the worst rating on his team with -16.
On stationary shooting drills, Hayes shot well (per NBA.com):
NBA Break Left: 80%
NBA Break Right: 20%
NBA Corner Left: 60%
NBA Corner Right: 80%
NBA Top of the Key: 60%
On non-stationary shooting drills, he struggled a little more:
Off dribble fifteen feet break left: 33.3%
Off dribble fifteen Feet break right: 66.7%
Off dribble fifteen feet top key: 33.3%
On the move college three: 60.0%
On the move fifteen feet 63.6%
There is still no word on his decision or when he will decide, but the withdrawal deadline is exactly a month away on June 13th. However, a few ESPN analysts have weighed in on what they think Hayes should do.
ESPN College Basketball Analyst Jeff Goodman:
ESPN NBA Draft Insider Chad Ford:
With an inconsistent performance so far in the drills and two lackluster scrimmages, it seems like NBA scouts think that Hayes should return to Wisconsin for his senior season to improve his game and his stock. If Hayes returns, the Badgers will return all key rotation players from the 2015-16 season.
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Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel