Latest news with #Hayes-Davis
USA Today
27-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis officially joins Phoenix Suns
Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis officially joined the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Roughly one month removed from the former Badger reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with the franchise, Hayes-Davis' journey back to the NBA is now official. For the first time since the 2017-18 regular season, the Ohio native will lace up during an NBA regular season this fall. Hayes-Davis' return to the United States' most coveted professional basketball league follows his hectic spring and summer run as a member of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkey. To conclude the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign, Hayes-Davis helped guide Fenerbahce to an 81-70 victory over Monaco in the final with a 23-point, nine-rebound performance. The output netted him EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors and the club's first title since 2017. After the historic run, Boston Celtics' head coach Joe Mazulla traveled to Istanbul for the Bachesehir - Fenerbahçe game in early June, reigniting Hayes-Davis' reality of playing in the NBA once more. The previous summer, Hayes-Davis earned a Turkish League Championship and MVP honor in Turkey's Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals, where he averaged over 17 points per game to snag finals MVP honors. That pair of runs served as enough evidence for an NBA squad to take a chance on the decorated college and European basketball star. The 6-foot-8 forward suited up in nine games for the Kings, Lakers and Raptors during the 2017-18 slate. He will now return to the hardwood alongside players such as Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. As a Badger from 2013-17, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), a two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) honoree and an All-Big Ten first team selection (2016). He averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 150 appearances. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin basketball star agrees to one-year deal with Phoenix Suns
Former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis has agreed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal is fully guaranteed. It marks Hayes-Davis' first taste of NBA action since he played five games with the Sacramento Kings during the 2017-18 slate. The news arrives roughly one month after the Badger alumnus wrapped up a spectacular season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkey. Hayes-Davis capped off the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign with an 81-70 victory over Monaco, securing him EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors and the club's first championship since 2017. Hayes-Davis' recent title followed another championship run last summer, when he pocketed a Turkish League Championship and MVP honor in Turkey's Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals. The Ohio native averaged over 17 points per game to snag finals MVP honors throughout the series, which ignited his return to professional basketball in the United States. Between his time in Europe, the former Badger suited up alongside the USA Men's National Team during its exhibition schedule before the Olympic crew won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Outside of practice, he played exhibitions in Las Vegas, London and Abu Dhabi alongside a bevy of NBA Hall of Famers, including now-teammate Devin Booker. Hayes-Davis reportedly drew interest from the Boston Celtics' head coach Joe Mazulla, who was spotted in Istanbul for the Bachesehir - Fenerbahçe game in early June. While the Celtics didn't bite, another franchise did. The former Wisconsin standout suited up in nine games for the Kings, Lakers and Raptors during the 2017-18 slate following his career in Madison, but he didn't experience as much success as he did in college. His European basketball journey appears to have rejuvenated his career, and now he will look to compete alongside players like Booker, Jalen Green, Bradley Beal, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. During his time in Madison, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), a two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) honoree and an All-Big Ten first team selection in 2016. He, along with Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, wound up in the 2015 NCAA title game against the Duke Blue Devils during one of the most memorable runs in franchise history. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Mazzulla watches EuroLeague star in Turkey ahead of Celtics free agency
The Celtics are going to have some tough limitations in building a roster this summer. Boston is expected to have to trade away multiple rotation players in order to reduce a massive luxury tax bill. Brad Stevens also has to find a way to replace Jayson Tatum's massive production at forward for potentially the entire season after he suffered a torn Achilles last month. With Boston only expected to have veteran's minimum contracts available in free agency to fill that void, the team may look overseas to find some low-cost options at forward. Joe Mazzulla got a potential look at one of those options on Monday according to EuroHoops. Advertisement The Celtics coach was spotted courtside in Istanbul for a Turkish League playoff game between Fenerbahce and Bahcesehir, watching among others Nigel Hayes-Davis. The former Wisconsin standout has thrived overseas since spending the first two years of his pro career in the NBA. The 30-year-old was selected to the All-Euroleague First Team in the past two years while playing for Fenerbahce and he was also the Euroleague Final Four MVP this season. At 6-foot-8, he's an intriguing forward option who has improved his shooting in Europe. The Celtics have been linked to Hayes-Davis in the past as well with a source telling MassLive that Hayes-Davis worked out for Boston back in 2021 during Brad Stevens first year as president of basketball operations. Fenerbahce GM Derya Yannier said last month that there was serious NBA interest in multiple Fenerbahce players including Hayes-Davis according to Sportando. 'There is very serious interest from the NBA for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Tarik Biberovic,' Yannier told reporters in May. 'I hope they continue with us, but if they say, 'I want to try in the NBA,' we won't stand in their way.' Advertisement Biberovic was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023 so they still have his NBA rights but Hayes would be able to sign with any NBA team if he is allowed out of his contract. The Celtics have had plenty of success plucking useful players from overseas in the past decade. Daniel Theis and Brad Wanamaker both turned into rotation players for Boston after successful careers abroad. With the Celtics limited in their spending power, it makes sense for them to be looking at intriguing options abroad as they attempt to stay competitive in the East next season with a diminished supporting cast and budget. Hayes-Davis finished with 10 points and seven rebounds on Monday in front of Mazzulla, helping Fenerbahce advance to the Turkish League Finals. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Badgers star garnering interest from the defending NBA champions
When it comes to the Wisconsin Badgers over the last decade, the most memorable team is easily the 2014-15 group that went 36-4 and made it to the National Championship Game, ultimately falling short to the Duke Blue Devils. That team had quite a few talented players, with four making it to the NBA: Sam Dekker, Frank Kaminsky, Duje Dukan, and Nigel Hayes-Davis. Kaminsky was a lottery pick to the Charlotte Hornets, while Dekker went No. 18 overall to the Houston Rockets. Both Dukan and Hayes-Davis ended up going undrafted, but secured NBA contracts. Unfortunately, all four players are out of the NBA now, as the Badgers don't have much of a presence in the league anymore. Johnny Davis was the latest to get drafted, going No. 10 overall to the Washington Wizards in the 2022 NBA Draft. But, he struggled in three seasons with the team, earning very limited minutes before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. Davis was later waived and signed with the New York Knicks G-League team in March. Currently, Micah Potter is the lone former Badger in the NBA. After going undrafted in 2021 and spending time in the G-League with the Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz, he had his best season yet for the latter squad, playing in 38 games in 2024. However, Potter could be joined soon by another former Badger as Nigel Hayes-Davis has been picking up some traction from his time at Fenerbahce. Davis had a stellar season, averaging a career-high 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while leading his team to their second EuroLeague Championship last month. Hayes-Davis caught the eyes of Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula, who, according to EuroHoops, made the trek out to see him play in the playoffs last month. At 30 years old, Hayes-Davis could be a low-cost option for the Celtics off the bench, as the forward has developed his shooting (41 percent from three this season), while stacking together several strong seasons overseas. If he's given the opportunity, Hayes-Davis could be the second Badger to join the NBA ranks this summer, as star wing John Tonje is also currently projected to be drafted later this month. More from NCAA Tournament predictions for Wisconsin Wisconsin falls to Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament semifinal Wisconsin Pro Day results Wisconsin squeaks out 66-62 win over Nebraska in Big Ten Tournament Bucky's 5th Podcast, Ep. 62: 2019 Wisconsin spring position previews (RBs and CBs)
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in Turkiye scouting sharpshooting forward
Report: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in Turkiye scouting sharpshooting forward Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has reportedly made the trip to Turkiye to see a Fenerbahce big man, presumably as a potential depth option at power forward for the Celtics next season. With star Boston swingman Jayson Tatum sidelined for most or even all of the Celtics' 2025-26 campaign, Boston will need to find a way to add depth to the team on the cheap, with the storied ball club simultaneously trying to navigate a way to shrinking a historic payroll and tax bill. Enter Fenerbahce forward Nigel Hayes-Davis, who has been playing well for the EuroLeague squad this season, putting up 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with the Turkish club in EuroLeague play while hitting 42.3% of his 3s and shooting 46.0% from the field overall. Per Eurohoops, Mazzulla "travelled to Turkiye to take a look at" Hayes-Davis. The 30-year-old, 6-foot-7 wing could help Boston weather the Tatum absence -- as well as help shore up the wing if Boston elects to move off reserve forward Sam Hauser to save money as well. Hayes-Davis, a native of Westerville, Ohio, has previously played short stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings at the NBA level in the 2017-18 season. The Wisconsin alum headed overseas to play in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the Euroleague afterward, setting the modern individual player scoring record (50 points) in that league in 2023-24.
