Killian Hayes is currently a hot prospect playing overseas. Hayes in someone that fits the Golden State Warriors mold, and would be a match made in heaven.
Killian Hayes is a 19-year-old professional basketball player from France, where he has played for the last three years. This past season, Hayes played for Ratiopharm Ulm where he only played 10 games before the season was shut down due to the pandemic. Still, he should be high on the Golden State Warriors‘ NBA Draft radar.
Standing at 6’5″, Hayes is a big guard who can also play the wing spot. At 180 pounds, Killian is smaller in size but can grow into his frame after working out in the league.
Killian Hayes is a top prospect in this year’s draft, and is someone who is on all the top team’s big boards, but why?
Killian Hayes Natural Skill and Ability
Killian is a very raw prospect, and it shows in his stat sheet. However, his natural skill when you watch him play is something that is advanced in his game. Hayes plays like he is older than 19, and that can be attributed to playing overseas for three years now.
Hayes averaged only 12 points per game last season with his euro cup team. But he did average nearly seven assist a game, and almost two steals.
His ability to score is there, and he is often compared to James Harden. His ability to create space off of the dribble and using Harden’s signature step-back is what draws scouts in. Hayes can also finish at the rim or above the rim, and also has a nice little floater as well.
The most impressive part of his game to me is what he can do with the ball in his hand. He is an amazing passer and loves to throw the occasional alley-oop. In the highlights i have seen, his shiftiness is a problem for defenders, and it helps in his ability to get to the rim and finish.
Hayes Cons and fit with Warriors
Killian Hayes does have just a few things that scouts should be worried about when it comes to his game. He has shown flashes of being a great defender, however, he does gamble the passing lanes a lot. Sometimes that can be good, but sometimes it can be bad.
A lot of his tape is pull up jumpers and shooting off of the dribble, so there is a concern for his catch and shot ability. Obviously, he can shoot it, but how efficient. Also, I noticed in his tape that he had the ball in his hands the majority of the time. I would love to see him improve more on coming off of a screen, and becoming a better trail shooter.
Killian Hayes is a player I think has an enormous upside and can be effective right away. Especially on this Golden State Warriors team.