Though he was born in the U.S., potential 2020 NBA Draft lottery pick Killian Hayes has spent most of his life in Europe.
He has a French mother and an American father, DeRon, who played three seasons at Penn State University.
After college, DeRon played professional basketball in France, Portugal, Sweden, Russia and Ukraine.
Hayes was raised and grew up in France and turned pro at the age of 16, where he made his debut for Cholet Basket of the LNB Pro A league in France.
After two seasons with Cholet Basket, Hayes recently signed a deal with Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) league in Germany.
Because he grew up in France, Hayes represents France in international competitions and in 2017 at the FIBA U16 European Championship, he led France to a 7-0 record and a gold medal.
Hayes was also named the MVP of the tournament, averaging 16.6 points, 7 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
The upcoming season for Hayes will be an important one, as he will have the opportunity to be a starter for Ratiopharm Ulm, as well as show NBA scouts and teams that he’ll be ready to make the jump and make his NBA debut ahead of schedule.
Hayes is a 6’5″ (1.96m) lefty combo guard who has been labeled as an elite pick and roll passer, having great touch in and around the paint, being able to finish through contact and having a significant impact on the defensive end with his intensity, instincts and focus for a player his age.
Hayes is projected as the 10th overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBADraft.net’s latest mock draft.
