In his junior season, Hayes was named to the first team All-Big Ten after leading the Badgers in scoring (15.7 points per game), assists (3.0) and free-throw attempts (258) and finished second in rebounds (5.8 per game).[1]
Coming into his senior season, Hayes was named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.[1] He averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during his senior year at Wisconsin.[2]
Hayes graduated in May 2017 with a degree in business finance and investment banking. He was noted for being an outspoken athlete and a leader on issues such as racial justice and compensation of NCAA athletes.[3]
Professional career
Westchester Knicks (2017–2018)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, he joined the New York Knicks for the 2017 NBA Summer League. On August 19, he signed a partially guaranteed deal with the team. On October 14, 2017, he was waived by New York.[4] He was later assigned to the Westchester Knicks affiliate squad for the NBA G League for the majority of the season.
Los Angeles Lakers (2018)
On January 19, 2018, Hayes signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[5] He made his NBA debut two days later in a 127–107 win over the New York Knicks, playing a single minute that night. The Lakers would not give Hayes a second 10-day contract after his first one expired, and subsequently the Westchester Knicks re-acquired Hayes on January 30.[6]
Toronto Raptors (2018)
On March 6, 2018, the Toronto Raptors signed Hayes to a 10-day contract.[7] On March 12, 2018, Hayes made his debut for the Toronto Raptors scoring 6 points on two 3-point field goals in 5 minutes played in a 132–106 win against the New York Knicks, the affiliate to the Westchester Knicks. On March 14, 2018, the Raptors re-signed Hayes to an additional 10-day contract.[8] While on his second ten-day contract, Hayes was assigned to the Raptors 905, Toronto's G League franchise.[9] Hayes did not receive a rest-of-season offer from the Raptors and returned to the Westchester Knicks.[10]
Sacramento Kings (2018)
On March 31, 2018, the Sacramento Kings announced that they had signed Hayes for the rest of 2017–18 season.[11] On July 7, 2018, he was waived by the Kings.[12]
Galatasaray (2018–2019)
On August 29, 2018, Hayes signed with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[13][14] Hayes averaged 12.6 points per game, 2.0 assists per game and 5.4 rebounds per game. Hayes averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the EuroCup.[15]
On July 22, 2022, Hayes-Davis signed a one-year deal with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe.[19] On April 7, 2023, Hayes-Davis renewed his contract with the Turkish club for three (2+1) more seasons.
On March 29, 2024, Hayes-Davis broke the Euroleague record for most scored in a game by a single player, scoring 50 points in a 103–68 win against Alba Berlin.[20] He broke the previous record of 49 points set by Shane Larkin in 2019.[20]
Personal life
In 2021, Hayes changed his surname to Hayes-Davis in honor of his stepfather.[21]