Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/156411
"IT WAS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM AND THE LOVE THAT THEY HAVE FOR ME," HAYES GAVE AS HIS REASON FOR CHOOSING WISCONSIN. "THEY CAN TAKE MY GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND I KNEW IF I CAME HERE, I'D FIT IN AND HELP THE TEAM BECOME THAT MUCH BETTER." 44 // adjustment." Whereas last season's incoming recruiting class was two-deep ― Sam Dekker and Zak Showalter ― Hayes is one of six freshmen. "We all come and work out together," Hayes said. "We all push each other to be better because we're all fighting for a spot and trying to help each other get there." On the floor, Hayes has focused on "knowing when to get my shots off and knowing when to be aggressive. I'm getting adjusted to the offense and the system and things are all jelling together on where I'm supposed to be. Once I get that down pat, I feel like I'll be able to just go out and play." Defense is often a sizeable hurdle for newcomers, particularly the type of defense that Ryan demands of every player, regardless of size or class. Hayes feels good about playing defense. "It's more on my offense," he insisted, "knowing where I need to be and where I can score and dominate." Assisting Hayes through his freshman orientation has been junior guard Traevon Jackson, who's from the same Ohio town ― Westerville ― that Hayes was born in. Hayes has known Jackson since elementary school. Both played in the same AAU program, the All-Ohio Red. Hayes also credited Dekker for "helping me to get better" during practices. "We're sort of in the same position and going for the same things," Hayes said. "We're pushing each other. Those two (Jackson and Dekker) have been a great help in getting me situated." Gasser, who started as a freshman, has also influenced Hayes. "He has been in my ear telling me the things I can do to help the team get better," Hayes said, "and how I can help myself VARSITY August 22, 2013 get in a better position to play and start, which are all great things, because we have big goals." Team and individual goals, in that order. "I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to (earning) a starting position," said Hayes, who picked the Badgers over Ohio State, among others. "But if that doesn't happen, whenever I get in, I want to contribute, do things the right way and help Wisconsin." On what stood out about the Badgers during the recruiting process, Hayes said, "It was because they have a great program and the love that they have for me. They can take my game to the next level and I knew if I came here, I'd fit in and help the team become that much better." Hayes has always tried to measure himself against the best. Before his sophomore year of high school, he attended LeBron James' summer camp. "I got to guard him and he guarded me," Hayes said, "and it was one of the greatest and most humbling experiences so far in my basketball career." Hayes suggested that it would be tough to put into words what it meant "to be able to guard your idol in basketball and for him to guard you." So how did it turn out? "He missed a shot and I credit that to my great defense," he said, tongue in cheek. "I'm sure it had nothing to do with that, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it."