Jaxson Hayes
We have previously discussed how well Jaxson Hayes out of Texas would fit on the Atlanta Hawks, and he fell to Atlanta with the #10 overall pick in our most recent post-lottery 2019 NBA Draft mock-up.
Though extremely raw due to switching from football to basketball after sprouting nine inches in height in just over two years, Hayes possesses an indelible physical profile that befits a rim-running center with a mammoth amount of upside.
Hayes was one of the best rim finishers in the NCAA last season with an insane 85.4 percent clip around the basket per The Stepien’s shot chart tool. At this point, Hayes does not project to have much of a jump shot, but he did shoot 74 percent from the free throw line on 100 attempts and a 59.2 free throw attempt rate per Sports Reference – a good sign for a projectable jumper in the future.
On defense, Hayes is incredibly fluid – gliding down the floor with the elegance of a floppy-haired gazelle. Hayes was something of a shot-blocking expert in college as his 10.6 percent block rate was 3rd in the Big 12 Conference and 13th in the country per Sports Reference last season.
Though certainly exceedingly unpolished, Hayes would make for an excellent long-term project for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft as the team continues to build organically with youth and upside.