The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Jaxson Hayes declares for NBA Draft and will hire agent
04.11.2019 | Men's Basketball
Freshman forward ranked third in the Big 12 in blocked shots (2.22 bpg) and set a UT single-season record for field goal percentage (.728).
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas freshman forward Jaxson Hayes has declared for the 2019 NBA Draft and will hire an agent, the school announced Thursday.
"First, I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play this game I love so much," Hayes said. "Next, I would like to thank my family, the entire Texas coaching staff and my teammates for helping me get to this point in my career. I'm so appreciative of Coach Shaka Smart for pushing me every day to improve and mature, both on the basketball court and as a person. I would also like to thank everyone else who has helped support me. Lastly, thank you to all the Longhorn fans and the people of Cincinnati who have been there cheering me on the whole way."
"With that being said, I have always dreamed about playing in the NBA," Hayes continued. "Now that I have the chance to realize that dream, I would like to pursue that opportunity. I am declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft and will be hiring an agent."
Hayes earned recognition as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and claimed spots on the All-Big 12 Second Team, the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and the NABC All-District 8 Second Team. He led the team and ranked third in the Big 12 Conference in blocks per game (2.22 bpg), second on the team in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and third in scoring (10.0 ppg) while averaging 23.3 mpg. Hayes converted 72.8-percent (123-169) of his field goal attempts this year, setting a UT single-season record for field goal percentage (previous: 65.4-percent by Dexter Pittman in 2009-10).
"I'm really proud of Jaxson for the tremendous attitude he's demonstrated all year and the unprecedented growth that he's made," Texas head coach Shaka Smart said. "He'll always be a part of our Longhorn Basketball family, and we look forward to supporting him in the next steps of his journey."
