11/6/2009 1:43:13 PM
Former Titan standout Chris Hayes continued his quest to play basketball professionally as the forward was drafted Thursday night by the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the 2009 NBA Development League Draft (NBDL).
“This is a great opportunity for Chris and we all wish him the best here,” said head coach Ray McCallum. “He put in the time to get this far and I know he will do everything possible to work hard and continue his career.”
Hayes, who was taken in the fourth round, was one of four HL players drafted on the night and was the second highest league player to go. Former Butler forward Pete Campbell (Sioux Falls) was selected in the second round, while former Milwaukee forward Joah Tucker (Iowa) was selected in the fifth round and Cleveland State’s J’Nathan Bullock (Albuquerque) in the sixth.
In May, Hayes graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies after playing four years for the red, white and blue, appearing in 114 games, with 66 starts, averaging 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He had his best year as a junior where he tallied 10.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The 16 NBA D-League teams will be comprised of eight drafted players along with seven returning, allocation, and local tryout players. The rosters will eventually be reduced into an opening-day 10-man squad by Nov. 25, with the tip off of the NBA D-League’s ninth season scheduled for Nov. 27.