The Killian Hayes File
- 7th Overall Pick in the 2020 NBA Draft
- Highest drafted French player in NBA history (7th)
- 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship Gold Medalist and MVP
The French Guard
Long before Killian Hayes was ever drafted into the NBA, he was already a professional elsewhere, in France. Hayes' father, DeRon, played college basketball at Penn State and professionally in France. Killian would later follow in his father's footsteps before transitioning into the NBA at age 19. Hayes would begin his pro career at age 16, for the team Cholet Basket, where he faced off against older competition. Also during his age-16 season, Hayes would win MVP of the French LNB Espoirs League, playing for Espoir Cholet.
His NBA career, however, got off to a slow start in Detroit with the Pistons, where he struggled to gain traction. After an injury to Cade Cunningham early in the 2022 season, Hayes was essentially given his last best chance to carve out a role in the league. He made headlines on Dec. 28, 2022, for punching the Magic's Mo Wagner in the back of the head following an altercation on the sideline. Hayes would go on to be suspended for only three games, ensuring he would be able to continue his breakout 2022 season.