Jaxson Hayes selected No. 8 in NBA Draft

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Former University of Texas basketball standout Jaxson Hayes was selected as the No. 8 pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft on Thursday evening at Barclays Center. Hayes, whose draft rights were traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, is the ninth lottery pick in the NBA Draft in UT program history.

This marks the third-straight year and fourth time in the last five seasons that a Longhorn has been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft (Myles Turner, No. 11 in 2015; Jarrett Allen, No. 22 in 2017; Mohamed Bamba, No. 6 in 2018). With Bamba's selection at No. 6 last year, it also marks the first time UT has had a Top-10 pick in back-to-back drafts since the Longhorns boasted three-straight years with a Top-10 selection from 2006-08 (LaMarcus Aldridge, No. 2 in 2006; Kevin Durant, No. 2 in 2007; D.J. Augustin, No. 9 in 2008).

"I'm really just excited right now," Hayes said following his selection. "I'm excited my family's here with me and excited my name got called. I've always had my defensive game, something that I pride myself on. But I feel like my offensive game came a long way while I was at Texas, and I want to thank the coaches for that."

During his one season at Texas (2018-19), Hayes earned recognition as the Big 12 Conference 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 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 during the year, setting a UT single-season record for field goal percentage (previous: 65.4-percent by Dexter Pittman in 2009-10).

"We're extremely excited for Jaxson and his family," Texas head coach Shaka Smart said. "He's going to a franchise with a front office and head coach who excel at developing young players. The Pelicans clearly have created momentum with who they've drafted tonight. Jaxson couldn't have landed in a better spot!"

Since the NBA Draft began in 1947, a total of 45 Longhorns have now heard their names called on draft night. Texas has produced 18 first-round selections and 11 second-round picks in program history. UT has now had 20 players drafted in the last 21 years, dating back to the 1999 Draft.

Most Total NBA Lottery Picks by School (since 1999 through 2019 Draft)

School	Number of Lottery Picks
Duke	23
Kentucky	21
Kansas	14
North Carolina	12
Arizona	11
Connecticut	11
TEXAS	9

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Players Mentioned

Mohamed Bamba

Jaxson Hayes