Gordon Hayward
Encyclopedia
Gordon Daniel Hayward (born March 23, 1990), is an American
basketball
player for the Utah Jazz
. He played college basketball at Butler University
in Indianapolis
for two seasons before leaving for the NBA
. Hayward emerged as a superstar in his sophomore (second) year, leading his team
to a runner-up finish in the 2010 NCAA Tournament
. He was selected by the Utah Jazz
with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft
.
columnist Pat Forde
called him "The guy who learned how to play like a guard but now has the size of a power forward"—was largely the result of his father's misconception about his future growth.
His father, Gordon Scott Hayward, is 5'10" (1.78 m), as is his mother Jody. Believing that their son was destined to be average sized, his father, according to Forde, "continually pushed his son to develop a guard's skill set." The younger Hayward's first appearance in the sports pages was not in basketball
but in tennis
; he and his twin sister Heather were featured in a regional edition of the Indianapolis Star when they played mixed doubles
together at the Indiana State Open in 2005. Heather had already played #1 singles for their high school team, and Gordon Daniel would follow in his sister's footsteps the next year; at the time, they hoped to attend their parents' alma mater of Purdue University
. Although Gordon's first love was basketball, he would later recall, "I looked at the future and figured playing basketball in college wasn't realistic." In fact, as a 5'11" (1.80 m) freshman, he seriously considered quitting basketball entirely to focus on tennis; his mother persuaded him to stay with the sport one more year.
The twins' plans changed when the younger Gordon underwent an unexpected growth spurt. He shot up to 6'4 as a sophomore and two years after he almost abandoned basketball, he had grown to 6'7" (2.01 m); he reached 6'8" (2.03 m) as a senior, and reportedly added another inch at Butler (though the NBA lists him at 6'8"). He would soon have profiles on recruiting websites in both tennis and basketball. Gordon ultimately received three scholarship offers—one from nearby IUPUI
, another from Purdue
, and one from Butler
. He ultimately chose Butler because the Bulldogs' 6:30 am practices would not interfere with his planned major of computer engineering
and because Heather would be able to play tennis there. While he verbally committed to Butler as a junior, he skipped AAU basketball during the following summer because he wanted to put in enough tennis practice to contend for a state high school title in his senior year. He had a 26–3 record in singles that year, but lost in the state tournament.
Hayward attended Brownsburg High School
in Brownsburg, Indiana
. In his senior year (2007–08), Hayward was named first team All-State and led Brownsburg to the Indiana
Class 4A state championship. In the 4A state title game, Hayward hit the game-winning layup at the buzzer to defeat Marion High School
40–39. Hayward averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a senior.
. However, the Bulldogs went 26–5 and won the Horizon League. Hayward averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and was named Horizon Newcomer of the Year and first team All-Conference.
In the offseason, Hayward was selected to Team USA for the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
in Auckland
, New Zealand
. Playing for Pittsburgh
coach Jamie Dixon
, Hayward was a surprise star for the Championship squad, averaging 10 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. At the conclusion of the tournament, Hayward was named to the "All-Star Five" of the event, with teammate Tyshawn Taylor
.
After raising his profile in the FIBA tournament, Hayward was named to numerous preseason All-America
teams, and was a preseason candidate for the Wooden Award
and the Naismith Award
prior to the 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
. He was also named preseason All-Horizon League.
During the 2009–10 season
, Hayward was the only player to finish in the Horizon League's top five in both scoring and rebounding; he was also in the league's top 10 in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, blocked shots, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding (in which he led the league), and minutes per game. At the end of the regular season, he was named the Horizon League Player of the Year
. Hayward was also named a third-team ESPN The Magazine
Academic All-American. In the NCAA Tournament, Hayward was named the MVP of the West Region as he led Butler to the National Championship game. In the championship game against Duke he missed the game-winning half-court shot, by a matter of inches, which would have given Butler their very first NCAA championship.
started leaving messages with his parents, they expressed both surprise and concern. His father felt unprepared for the process of counseling his son through the draft process, while his mother felt that their son was not yet spiritually ready to handle the temptations of the NBA and was not convinced that he was good enough to play in the league. Eventually, his parents decided that his father would learn about the draft and his mother would "put it in the Lord's hands and pray about it." While his father talked with agents and other players who had left early, Butler coach Brad Stevens
talked with NBA scouts and general managers; both eventually came to the conclusion that Gordon Hayward was projected as a top-20 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft
even before Butler's NCAA tournament
run. As his parents left Lucas Oil Stadium
after the NCAA final, they had one final exchange regarding their son's basketball future. His mother said, "If God wanted him to go to the NBA, he would have hit the shot," but his father responded, "What else is he going to do, get Butler all the way back to the final and hit the shot?"
On April 14, 2010, Hayward's father confirmed to the Indianapolis Star that his son would submit his name for consideration in the 2010 draft, but he would not immediately hire an agent. While the younger Hayward was dividing his time between his final examinations and physical preparation, his father created a highly detailed two-page questionnaire that he gave to prospective agents. Mark Bartelstein, who survived his father's grilling and became Gordon Hayward's agent, would later say, "It was the most incredibly thorough process I've been through in 25 years. His parents didn't want to leave any stone unturned."
Hayward had until May 8 to withdraw from the draft and retain his college eligibility. However, on the day before the withdrawal deadline, he announced that he would stay in the draft and give up his remaining college eligibility. At the time he announced for the draft, he was widely expected to be selected in the top 20 picks, and that assessment did not change before the deadline. When announcing that he was leaving for the NBA, Hayward said that he planned to eventually complete his degree. On June 24, 2010, Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft
by the Utah Jazz
. His hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, selected just one pick later but Hayward seemed happy about going to Utah. In an interview with Craig Sager
he remarked "I know the players there (in Utah) play hard. That's what's going to be expected of me." Regarding not being drafted by the Pacers: "I'm just excited to go where I've gone. It was a dream to play for the Pacers
growing up, but I think it was a dream of all little boys in Indiana
. Just because you grew up watching them. But it was also a dream to play in the NBA. To be able to put on that Utah Jazz jersey will be something very special". Despite having needs in the front court, the Jazz picked Hayward for his athleticism, ball handling skills, and versatility. Both Kevin O'Connor and Jerry Sloan
commented that Hayward was a very "smart player that knew the game really well".
Gordon Hayward was the first Bulldog to be selected in the NBA Draft since 1950, when Ralph O'Brien was drafted in the 6th round by the Indianapolis Olympians.
in Utah's stunning upset of the Los Angeles Lakers
on April 5, making several clutch plays in the final minutes of an 86-85 victory. Hayward finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, and his defense forced Bryant into a terrible performance (7 turnovers and just 6-of-18 shooting from the floor). Hayward finished the season with a career-high 34 points in a 107-103 win against the rival Denver Nuggets
.
, Hayward has gained some popularity within the professional StarCraft scene, even being interviewed by Team Liquid
, the largest English Starcraft
and Starcraft 2 site. It was announced on September 7th, 2011 that Hayward would be participating in the IGN Proleague, which would be his first StarCraft tournament. Hayward played in the Open Bracket of the IPL3 and managed to make it into the 3rd round before falling to Adrian "KawaiiRice" Kwong, a professional StarCraft II player. In the loser's bracket, he was defeated in the first match to end his first StarCraft II tournament run.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. He played college basketball at Butler University
Butler Bulldogs men's basketball
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League, of which it has been a member since 1979...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
for two seasons before leaving for the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. Hayward emerged as a superstar in his sophomore (second) year, leading his team
2009–10 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
The 2009–10 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represented the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team in the 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Brad Stevens, serving his 3rd year...
to a runner-up finish in the 2010 NCAA Tournament
2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:*March 18 / 20*March 25 / 27*March 26 / 28Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four, held on April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and Butler University, as per the NCAA's...
. He was selected by the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft
2010 NBA Draft
The 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
.
Early years and high school
Hayward's unusual skill set—ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
columnist Pat Forde
Pat Forde
Pat Forde is a sports journalist who currently serves as a national columnist for Yahoo Sports.- Work :Forde is currently a writer for Yahoo Sports. Forde left ESPN on November 1, 2011 to pursue a career with more journalistic freedom. Prior to leaving ESPN, Forde was a staple on radio and...
called him "The guy who learned how to play like a guard but now has the size of a power forward"—was largely the result of his father's misconception about his future growth.
His father, Gordon Scott Hayward, is 5'10" (1.78 m), as is his mother Jody. Believing that their son was destined to be average sized, his father, according to Forde, "continually pushed his son to develop a guard's skill set." The younger Hayward's first appearance in the sports pages was not in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
but in tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
; he and his twin sister Heather were featured in a regional edition of the Indianapolis Star when they played mixed doubles
Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles: An Entertainment on Marriage is a programme consisting of a series of eight short plays or revue sketches, each with two characters, composed by various English playwrights. It was first performed on 6 February 1969 in the Hampstead Theatre Club with the title, We Who Are About To......
together at the Indiana State Open in 2005. Heather had already played #1 singles for their high school team, and Gordon Daniel would follow in his sister's footsteps the next year; at the time, they hoped to attend their parents' alma mater of Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
. Although Gordon's first love was basketball, he would later recall, "I looked at the future and figured playing basketball in college wasn't realistic." In fact, as a 5'11" (1.80 m) freshman, he seriously considered quitting basketball entirely to focus on tennis; his mother persuaded him to stay with the sport one more year.
The twins' plans changed when the younger Gordon underwent an unexpected growth spurt. He shot up to 6'4 as a sophomore and two years after he almost abandoned basketball, he had grown to 6'7" (2.01 m); he reached 6'8" (2.03 m) as a senior, and reportedly added another inch at Butler (though the NBA lists him at 6'8"). He would soon have profiles on recruiting websites in both tennis and basketball. Gordon ultimately received three scholarship offers—one from nearby IUPUI
IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball
The IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball...
, another from Purdue
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, and one from Butler
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
. He ultimately chose Butler because the Bulldogs' 6:30 am practices would not interfere with his planned major of computer engineering
Computer engineering
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and...
and because Heather would be able to play tennis there. While he verbally committed to Butler as a junior, he skipped AAU basketball during the following summer because he wanted to put in enough tennis practice to contend for a state high school title in his senior year. He had a 26–3 record in singles that year, but lost in the state tournament.
Hayward attended Brownsburg High School
Brownsburg High School
Brownsburg High School is a public high school in Brownsburg, Indiana, United States within the Brownsburg Community School Corporation. The student count for the 2010-2011 school year is 2,204.-Sports teams' state championship games:In year order...
in Brownsburg, Indiana
Brownsburg, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,520 people, and 5,366 households residing in the town. The population density was 1,983.5 people per square mile . There were 5,574 housing units at an average density of 761.4 per square mile...
. In his senior year (2007–08), Hayward was named first team All-State and led Brownsburg to the Indiana
Indiana High School Athletic Association
The Indiana High School Athletic Association is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public and private high schools in the State of Indiana. It monitors a system that divides athletically-competing high schools in Indiana based on the school's enrollment. The divisions, known as...
Class 4A state championship. In the 4A state title game, Hayward hit the game-winning layup at the buzzer to defeat Marion High School
Marion High School (Indiana)
Marion High School is a high school in Marion, Indiana with more than 1,450 students.- Athletics :The nickname of the students and the athletic teams is the "Giants", and their teams compete in Indiana's North Central Conference...
40–39. Hayward averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a senior.
College career
Hayward unexpectedly made an instant impact in his freshman year (2008–09). Butler had lost four starters from a 30-win season and were picked fifth in the Horizon LeagueHorizon League
The Horizon League is a ten school, NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located in five of the Midwestern United States....
. However, the Bulldogs went 26–5 and won the Horizon League. Hayward averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and was named Horizon Newcomer of the Year and first team All-Conference.
In the offseason, Hayward was selected to Team USA for the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
FIBA Under-19 World Championship 2009
The 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship was an international basketball competition held in Auckland, New Zealand from July 2, 2009 until July 12.-Qualification:*FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship 2008*#*#*FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship 2008*#*#*#...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Playing for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
coach Jamie Dixon
Jamie Dixon
Jamie Dixon is an American basketball head coach. He has served as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team since 2003. In 2009 he was the head coach for the FIBA Under-19 2009 gold-medal winning United States national basketball team for which he was named the 2009 USA...
, Hayward was a surprise star for the Championship squad, averaging 10 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. At the conclusion of the tournament, Hayward was named to the "All-Star Five" of the event, with teammate Tyshawn Taylor
Tyshawn Taylor
Tyshawn Jamar Taylor is a 6'3" American basketball player who currently plays for University of Kansas in the Big 12 of the NCAA.-High school:...
.
After raising his profile in the FIBA tournament, Hayward was named to numerous preseason All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
teams, and was a preseason candidate for the Wooden Award
John R. Wooden Award
The John R. Wooden Award is an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players. The program consists of the men's and women's Player of the Year awards, the Legends of Coaching award and recognizes the All–America Teams.The awards, given by the Los...
and the Naismith Award
Naismith College Player of the Year
The Naismith College Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the top men's and women's collegiate basketball players. It is named in honor of the inventor of basketball , Dr. James Naismith....
prior to the 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 9, 2009, and ended with the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 5, 2010 on the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The opening round occurred on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, followed by first...
. He was also named preseason All-Horizon League.
During the 2009–10 season
2009–10 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
The 2009–10 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represented the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team in the 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Brad Stevens, serving his 3rd year...
, Hayward was the only player to finish in the Horizon League's top five in both scoring and rebounding; he was also in the league's top 10 in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, blocked shots, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding (in which he led the league), and minutes per game. At the end of the regular season, he was named the Horizon League Player of the Year
Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a basketball award given to the Horizon League's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1979–80 season—the first year of the conference's existence. Four players have won the award multiple times: Byron Larkin,...
. Hayward was also named a third-team ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
Academic All-American. In the NCAA Tournament, Hayward was named the MVP of the West Region as he led Butler to the National Championship game. In the championship game against Duke he missed the game-winning half-court shot, by a matter of inches, which would have given Butler their very first NCAA championship.
Leaving for the NBA
When Hayward first emerged as a star at the World U-19s, and agentsSports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
started leaving messages with his parents, they expressed both surprise and concern. His father felt unprepared for the process of counseling his son through the draft process, while his mother felt that their son was not yet spiritually ready to handle the temptations of the NBA and was not convinced that he was good enough to play in the league. Eventually, his parents decided that his father would learn about the draft and his mother would "put it in the Lord's hands and pray about it." While his father talked with agents and other players who had left early, Butler coach Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens is an American college basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at Butler University. He grew up in Zionsville, Indiana, where he starred on the Zionsville Community High School basketball team, setting four school records...
talked with NBA scouts and general managers; both eventually came to the conclusion that Gordon Hayward was projected as a top-20 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft
2010 NBA Draft
The 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
even before Butler's NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
run. As his parents left Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
after the NCAA final, they had one final exchange regarding their son's basketball future. His mother said, "If God wanted him to go to the NBA, he would have hit the shot," but his father responded, "What else is he going to do, get Butler all the way back to the final and hit the shot?"
On April 14, 2010, Hayward's father confirmed to the Indianapolis Star that his son would submit his name for consideration in the 2010 draft, but he would not immediately hire an agent. While the younger Hayward was dividing his time between his final examinations and physical preparation, his father created a highly detailed two-page questionnaire that he gave to prospective agents. Mark Bartelstein, who survived his father's grilling and became Gordon Hayward's agent, would later say, "It was the most incredibly thorough process I've been through in 25 years. His parents didn't want to leave any stone unturned."
Hayward had until May 8 to withdraw from the draft and retain his college eligibility. However, on the day before the withdrawal deadline, he announced that he would stay in the draft and give up his remaining college eligibility. At the time he announced for the draft, he was widely expected to be selected in the top 20 picks, and that assessment did not change before the deadline. When announcing that he was leaving for the NBA, Hayward said that he planned to eventually complete his degree. On June 24, 2010, Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
by the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. His hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, selected just one pick later but Hayward seemed happy about going to Utah. In an interview with Craig Sager
Craig Sager
Craig Sager , is currently a sportscaster for TNT and TBS. Sager is a graduate of Northwestern University. He has previously covered sports for CBS and CNN. His nickname is "America's Sideline Reporter"....
he remarked "I know the players there (in Utah) play hard. That's what's going to be expected of me." Regarding not being drafted by the Pacers: "I'm just excited to go where I've gone. It was a dream to play for the Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
growing up, but I think it was a dream of all little boys in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Just because you grew up watching them. But it was also a dream to play in the NBA. To be able to put on that Utah Jazz jersey will be something very special". Despite having needs in the front court, the Jazz picked Hayward for his athleticism, ball handling skills, and versatility. Both Kevin O'Connor and Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan
Gerald Eugene "Jerry" Sloan , is an American former National Basketball Association player and head coach, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. NBA commissioner David Stern called Sloan "one of the greatest and most respected coaches in NBA history." Sloan had a career regular-season...
commented that Hayward was a very "smart player that knew the game really well".
Gordon Hayward was the first Bulldog to be selected in the NBA Draft since 1950, when Ralph O'Brien was drafted in the 6th round by the Indianapolis Olympians.
NBA
Hayward played in 72 games during his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, averaging 5.4 points per game and shooting 47 percent from 3-point range. Early in the season, he played sparingly for the Jazz, but he earned more minutes later in the year and responded with strong play in the team's last few games. He outplayed Kobe BryantKobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
in Utah's stunning upset of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on April 5, making several clutch plays in the final minutes of an 86-85 victory. Hayward finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, and his defense forced Bryant into a terrible performance (7 turnovers and just 6-of-18 shooting from the floor). Hayward finished the season with a career-high 34 points in a 107-103 win against the rival Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
.
StarCraft II
After streaming himself playing StarCraft IIStarCraft II
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed and released by Blizzard Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. A sequel to the award-winning 1998 video game StarCraft and its expansions, the game was released worldwide on July 27, 2010...
, Hayward has gained some popularity within the professional StarCraft scene, even being interviewed by Team Liquid
Team Liquid
Team Liquid is a popular StarCraft news website and community, as well as a successful StarCraft team, founded by Victor Goossens and Joy Hoogeveen.-History:...
, the largest English Starcraft
StarCraft
StarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first game of the StarCraft series was released for Microsoft Windows on 31 March 1998. With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, it is one of the best-selling...
and Starcraft 2 site. It was announced on September 7th, 2011 that Hayward would be participating in the IGN Proleague, which would be his first StarCraft tournament. Hayward played in the Open Bracket of the IPL3 and managed to make it into the 3rd round before falling to Adrian "KawaiiRice" Kwong, a professional StarCraft II player. In the loser's bracket, he was defeated in the first match to end his first StarCraft II tournament run.