Drafted 7th overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2020, Killian Hayes brought hopes and excitement as a promising young guard. Right from the beginning, fans anticipated his potential, but his rookie year took an unexpected turn. He suffered a hip labral tear in a match against the Milwaukee Bucks. The injury sidelined him, dimming the initial spark. However, this injury didn’t let him let go of his rookie season. He fought to return, showcasing his playmaking skills and determination.

In a memorable game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022, he erupted for a career-high 26 points, thrilling fans and reigniting belief in his talent. Yet, inconsistency haunted him; moments of brilliance were often overshadowed by struggles. Off the court, Killian Hayes faced challenges, including a forgettable incident with Mo Wagner against the Orlando Magic that led to a 3-game suspension. This incident, a flashpoint in his career, raised concerns about his maturity and decision-making.

After four seasons, averaging just above 8 points and 5 assists per game, the Pistons decided to waive him in February 2024. The Brooklyn Nets offered a fresh start, but as he faced numerous challenges in his young career, can he rise again?

Will Killian Hayes play for the Brooklyn Nets? 

“He’s doing well. He’s rehabbing. He’s not here (in Philly). He’s just been working on getting back and getting right,” is what Nets’ head coach, Jordi Fernandez, said when asked about an update on the hooper. But will he? ESPN’s Shams Charania tweeted only a few hours ago, “The Brooklyn Nets are waiving former No. 7 pick Killian Hayes, sources tell ESPN. Hayes will continue to rehab a hip injury and pursue an NBA deal with Nets’ Long Island G League affiliate.”

The decision by the Nets to waive Hayes indicates a strategic move focused on roster management and player health. He was only playing in private, away from the cameras. But a question remains: will he be able to showcase his skills in the G League? This opportunity could be a crucial one for the hooper, allowing him to regain confidence and refine his game while recovering.

Understanding Hayes’ serious injury: How did it happen? 

On a 115–125 loss to the Bucks, on January 4, 2021, the injury occurred when Killian Hayes took a long stride while defending. He immediately fell to the ground, clutching his right hip. The diagnosis was a hip labral tear, two days later, a serious concern. The Detroit Pistons faced a tough decision: rehabilitate or opt for surgery.

Dr. Alex Johnson, an orthopedic surgeon said, “Sometimes you can try things like injections into the hip, like some lidocaine or cortisone or even things like PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) into the hip joint, to try to get the inflammation to go down and try to get some pain relief so that you can then rehab the hip and see if you can get it better.” This approach could avoid surgery, which might require a lengthy recovery.

If the tear was significant, surgery was more likely. Killian Hayes risked missing the entire rookie season if surgery was needed. This situation highlighted the complexities. However, they opted for rehab, avoiding the 6-7 months’ recovery. While his focus has been on rehab, he faces a crucial crossroads. However, apart from his time with the Pistons and Nets, he had spent time with two other teams. 

Life before the NBA: Navigating Killian’s journey

Born into a sports-loving family, Killian started his career young like his father, DeRon Hayes who played college basketball. With a blend of nerves and excitement, Hayes began his professional journey with Cholet Basket in France at 16. While he played only two minutes in that first game against Nanterre 92 in the LNB Pro A, it ignited a determination within him. The following season, he averaged 2.2 points and 1.2 assists, slowly finding his footing. In 2018–19, the hooper signed a three-year contract with Cholet.

After a rocky start, he began to shine, averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 assists. His time at Cholet opened doors, leading to his participation in the Basketball Without Borders camp during NBA All-Star Weekend, where he showcased his potential on an international stage.

Moving to Germany to play for Ratiopharm Ulm marked a significant turning point. Killian Hayes debuted with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, making an immediate impact. The hooper quickly adapted, recording his first double-double shortly after.

But do you know Killian Hayes also played for France? In the  2017 FIBA U16 European Championship, he played for France and averaged 16.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He ended the tournament with a bang! He led his team to win the Gold medal match and eventually was named the MVP of the tournament. His international journey didn’t stop there.

He also played in the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina, averaging 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He won the silver medal and was named to the All-Star Five. But he had to face a six-game suspension for not choosing to play in the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship, by the French Federation of Basketball. 

Now, Killian Hayes finds himself at a crossroads as he prepares to join the Nets’ Long Island G League affiliate. The community is eager to see if he can navigate this challenge and emerge stronger than ever!