Rutgers basketball: PJ Hayes, ‘shot-maker,’ is opening eyes

PISCATAWAY – During Rutgers basketball’s Sept. 28 intrasquad scrimmage, many fans took note of the sweet bounce pass freshman center Lathan Sommerville threw to cutting teammate PJ Hayes for an open layup.

Watching a replay of the scrimmage in Minnesota, Hayes’ father fixated on the layup.

“Why didn’t you dunk that one?” Pat Hayes asked his 6-foot-6 son the next day.

It should be noted: Pat Hayes is not a typical basketball dad. He coached his PJ for four years at Waconia High School and also played collegiately at the Division 2 level.

PJ also played D-2 ball for three years at Black Hills State in South Dakota. His father asked about dunking not because he wanted his son to wow the crowd, but because he knows that once the Big Ten curtain rises in two months, a defender with pogo-stick ups might swoop in and send that layup into the seats.

“These guys are going to be coming a lot quicker than at Black Hills,” Pat Hayes told P.J.

There was not much to nitpick about his son’s performance in the scrimmage. The postgrad wing made all three of his shot attempts, including two 3-pointers that showcased his quick release. He moved the ball well and even defended superstar freshman Ace Bailey serviceably, at one point stripping the future NBA Draft lottery pick as he drove the lane.

But the father-son exchange sheds a little light into how Hayes climbed the hardwood ladder, from D-2 standout to mid-major contributor at San Diego to a key rotation piece for the Scarlet Knights’ highly anticipated 2024-25 campaign. He sweats the small stuff.

Hayes was the last player added to Rutgers’ roster this past offseason, but he will not be the last player on the bench. As the preseason unfolds, he’s probably the biggest surprise.

“His story is kind of unique,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. “A lot of people didn’t believe in him early on in his career, and he continues to get better.”

‘I take everything seriously’

Hayes scored nearly 2,000 points at Waconia, and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-basketball-pj-hayes-shot-093531895.html

Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2024-10-09 09:35:31

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