19-year-old Killian Hayes is recognized for his skill in creating space for both himself and his teammates.
Most NBA fans are just now learning the name Killian Hayes, the 19-year-old French-American point guard who could be a top 5 pick in Wednesday night’s draft.
The shifty 6-foot-5 lefty is among several international prospects, continuing the NBA’s global reach. Others include Deni Avdija, Israel; Théo Maledon, France; Leandro Bolmaro, Argentina; and Aleksej Pokusevski, Serbia.
There were 108 international players on opening-night rosters for the 2019-20 season. That number could increase this year and Hayes will be one the new faces.
He possesses the skill to create room for himself or his teammates. The NBA’s defensive 3-second rule will work to his advantage and he is proficient at executing the pick-and-roll. In contrast to Europe, where defenders can obstruct the lane.
“Peyton Siva Jr., a player for Alba Berlin in the German league, said, ‘He’s extremely dangerous when he gets in the paint, as he can easily find his shooters and his big men. It’s when he’s able to create opportunities for others that he becomes more threatening.'”
Hayes demonstrated that there is scope for improvement in his game while playing in Ulm, Germany – the hometown of Albert Einstein. His performance from the 3-point range was inconsistent (21.8% in 20 domestic league games; 39% in 10 EuroCup games), however, he exhibited clever handling of the basketball.
“Siva, who had a season with the Detroit Pistons, said, “He performed a really good move at the top of the key, which made me stumble and fall.” Hayes ended up with 20 points and 10 assists, but his team lost to Siva’s team.
Despite being quiet, Hayes is not lacking in confidence.
Hayes revealed to the French sports daily L’Équipe the types of questions NBA teams pose during pre-draft interviews. He was asked if he considered himself a “dog” on the court, to which he responded affirmatively. When asked what breed, Hayes declared, “Rottweiler.”
Hayes, born in Florida, primarily grew up in Cholet, his mother’s hometown in western France, where his American father pursued a career in basketball.
DeRon Hayes was a player at Penn State and also played in Europe. At the age of 16, Killian made his debut for Cholet.
“Killian’s dad was always present at every practice,” said Antywane Robinson, a former teammate, “he would always be in the same spot at the top of the stands. Their bond is truly beautiful.”
Sandrine, Hayes’ mother, never missed a game and cousins would often attend as well.
His game had everyone in Cholet talking. Hayes received joint MVP accolades at the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic International Game. He was a part of French youth teams but turned down an invitation to play for a French Under-20 team. He eventually relocated to Germany.
For the past few months, Hayes has been staying in Lakeland, Florida, which is his father’s hometown. This location is approximately 40 miles southwest of the NBA’s bubble in Walt Disney World.
He has been exercising with another native of Lakeland, Dwayne Bacon, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
The studious Hayes said in a media video call that he tends to analyze fellow left-handers like James Harden, Goran Dragic and Manu Ginobili.
Hayes’ agent informed him that he should anticipate being drafted somewhere between No. 2 and 10, according to Hayes.
Other international NBA prospects to watch out for include:
Deni Avdija
Scouts appreciate the versatility of the 19-year-old from Israel, Avdija, but they are less impressed by his weak free throw shooting. However, Avdija reassures them not to worry.
Standing at 6-8, he has the versatility to handle multiple positions and contribute in various ways. His performance at the 2019 under-20 European Championships final was impressive, with stats including 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal. In this tournament, Israel secured the gold medal by defeating Spain, and Avdija was gloriously named the MVP.
Last season, while playing 59 games for Maccabi Tel Aviv, his shooting accuracy was just under 59% from the free throw line and 33% from the 3-point range.
“Regarding the disappointing percentage, it’s a matter of time and mindset,” Avdija stated in a media video call. “I believe I can even surpass a shooting percentage of 70%. I’ll get there.”
Just avoid comparing him to Luka Doncic, the guard for the Dallas Mavericks, or to anyone else for that matter.
“He said, “I simply strive to be the finest Deni Avdija I can be. I don’t wish to be compared to anyone else.”
Theo Maledon
Maledon, a 19-year-old French point guard, is often compared to Tony Parker.
In 2018-19, Maledon was awarded the “best young player” in the French league at the age of 17. This prestigious title associates him with a line of past winners who are now current and former NBA players, such as Frank Ntilikina, Evan Fournier, Clint Capela, Boris Diaw, and Parker.
Maledon and Parker both hail from the same city, Rouen, in Normandy. Similar to Parker, Maledon also boasts substantial professional experience from playing in France and in the EuroLeague.
He also played for the team ASVEL in Lyon, which was owned by Parker. Parker purchased the team during his time playing for the San Antonio Spurs.
Maledon, who is 6-4 and weighs approximately 175 pounds, admits that his draft stock might have dropped slightly after a shoulder injury caused him to miss some time last season.
“He confessed during a media video call, “That kind of stays in my mind. I harbor a grudge for that.” But he added, “It’s only on the court where you can provide proof.”
Leanjdro Bolmaro
Another versatile international prospect is Bolmaro from Argentina. Standing at 6-6 and weighing 185 pounds, he has the ability to play as a small forward and in both guard positions.
Bolmaro, who is 20 years old, is also gaining experience by coming off the bench for Barcelona in Spain’s competitive domestic league and the continental club competition, EuroLeague.
Bolmaro is at ease employing pick and rolls and assaulting the paint, either to complete the play himself or to pass to teammates in open positions.
Aleksej Pokusevski
Aleksej Pokusevski, a 7-foot Serbian, primarily played in the Greek second division, which may not be well-known to NBA fans. However, it’s worth noting that this is the same league where Giannis Antetokounmpo played before his 2013 draft.
While it’s not as if anyone is drawing comparisons between the 18-year-old Pokusevski and the Greek Freak, the Serbian has nevertheless awed scouts with his skills in ball handling, shooting, and defending.
Pokusevski, who played for the Olympiacos B team, averaged almost 10 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
