Jaxson Hayes

Hayes is an American-born naturalized Slovenian center who entered the NBA as a lottery pick in 2019 and has played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers. His professional career has featured flashes of athleticism and rim protection, along with injury setbacks and a gradual transition to a rotational role.

Born on May 23, 2000, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hayes attended Moeller High School and grew from six feet as a freshman to 6 feet 11 inches as a senior. He averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks per game as a senior and committed to the University of Texas. In 2018, he led Team Ohio to a Junior International Tournament title in Italy.

At Texas, Hayes averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a freshman while shooting 72.8 percent from the field. He was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year but injured his left knee in the Big 12 tournament. On April 11, 2019, he declared for the NBA draft.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Hayes with the eighth overall pick in 2019 and traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and draft assets for De'Andre Hunter. Hayes made his NBA debut on October 10, 2019, scoring 19 points against Golden State. He recorded his first double-double on November 17 and posted consecutive double-doubles in January 2020.

Hayes saw reduced playing time early in the 2021-22 season and was assigned to the Birmingham Squadron of the G League. He returned to post a season-high 23 points against Milwaukee and later scored 23 points with 12 rebounds in a play-in-clinching win over Sacramento. He moved into the starting lineup late in the season and helped the Pelicans reach the playoffs. He later joined the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hayes is a mobile center with elite vertical athleticism, lob-finishing ability, and shot-blocking instincts. He scores on rolls to the rim, putbacks, and transition dunks, and he uses his length to protect the paint. His offensive game remains limited to finishing plays created by guards, but his defensive tools and rim-running ability make him a situational option.

Hayes enters each season working to establish consistent rotation minutes and prove his durability after an injury-interrupted start to his career. His trajectory from a six-foot high school freshman to a lottery pick and playoff contributor reflects physical development and a focus on rim protection and finishing at the highest level.