32 // VARSITY March 13, 2014
set up Dekker for a dunk at Nebraska. He also assist-
ed on baskets by Duje Dukan and Traevon Jackson.
"We like sharing the ball," he said.
Gard compared Kaminsky's development as a
passer to that of former Wisconsin forward Jon
Leuer, who also learned the game as a guard. The
6-10 Leuer is now with the Memphis Grizzlies.
"Frank has a very good feel," said Gard. "When you
take that feel and that vision and those skills from
the perimeter those can be great weapons as you
grow and mature into a post player."
Factoring into that success formula this season
has been the Kaminsky-Hayes tag team. The 6-7,
250-pound Hayes, a true freshman, has definitely
bolstered the UW's presence in the paint.
"But Nigel really isn't a 'big,"' contended Jackson.
"He's playing out of position (as a center or power
forward in tandem with Kaminsky) because he's re-
ally a guard in that size of a body."
Hayes' passing skills were honed at a very young
age.
"It started when I was in the fourth grade," he said.
"I was obviously one of the tallest kids on the team
and I was always double and triple-teamed. So it was
always there for me to pass the ball.
"I really liked passing and getting the ball to my
teammates because all of the other parents looked at
it and said, 'We're glad you passed the ball and didn't
take all the shots.' I fed off that."
At Penn State, he twice passed teammates open or
led them to the ball with a bounce pass to an open
area on the floor. "That just comes from having trust
with the guys," he said.
Hayes has appreciated Ryan's approach to heavy
fundamentals in practices.
"Coach Ryan takes pride in his teams usually lead-
ing the country in fewest turnovers," he said. "It's a
credit for us doing so many passing drills.
"We get a feel for one another and we know the
correct passes and when and when not to make cer-
tain passes."
Hayes is just scratching the surface, too, Gard pre-
"It started when I was in the fourth grade,"
Hayes said. "I really liked passing and get-
ting the ball to my teammates because all
of the other parents looked at it and said,
'We're glad you passed the ball and didn't
take all the shots.' I fed off that."
DAVID
STLUKA
