Potential Knicks pick Killian Hayes hoping he ‘shocked’ draft doubters
By
Marc Berman
November 13, 2020 | 11:58pm
The NBA will find out Wednesday if Killian Hayes becomes the Knicks’ latest point guard of the future.
In recent live workouts, Hayes believes he’s shown a lot of new stuff since he last played eight months ago for Ratiopharm Ulm of Germany’s major professional league.
“Everyone saw the progress and a lot of changes to my game,’’ Hayes said on a Zoom call. “What I really improved on, really, is my body. As soon as you see me, there’s a big difference and change from eight months ago to now.”
The 6-foot-5 lefty scoring point guard, born in Florida but raised in France, wasn’t done.
“I also shocked a lot of people with my right hand,’’ Hayes added. “They see me throwing bullets with my right and finish with floaters with my right hand. Also my shooting — some people questioned my shooting form because I had a low release. Now, my release is pretty high. I shoot it pretty well. So all those doubts went away.”
“The player that I was back in March is not the same player I am today,” Hayes added. “I’ve really leveled up a lot.”
The Knicks, who first select eighth in the NBA draft, haven’t worked out Hayes and likely won’t get that chance. The Post has learned the Knicks planned to do a live workout with the do-everything point guard at the very end, but
a recent COVID-19 outbreak at their Tarrytown facility earlier this week has understandably called for extra caution.
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Killian Hayes dribbles the ball up the court.AP
The Knicks closed their practice facility after three members of the staff tested positive. The Knicks also have yet to work out top point guard prospect Tyrese Haliburton. They also were not represented at LaMelo Ball’s workout for a small group of teams earlier in the week.
Hayes said he’s done workouts for mostly Eastern Conference clubs, naming only Detroit, which selects seventh. The Bulls, who select fourth, also are believed to have worked out Hayes. “They saw the progress in my game,’’ Hayes said.
The Knicks have plenty of intel on Hayes, whom they interviewed on Zoom, and have been given all his medicals and measurements. The Knicks also would have to work out a buyout with his German team if they select him. Hayes is a good playmaker and shooter, with size and solid potential on defense.
The Post reported last month that Hayes, on the Knicks’ board, had a narrow edge on other point guard prospects after Ball, but that was before live workouts were permitted. A Knicks contingent flew to Miami last month to see fast-rising but defensively deficient PG Kira Lewis two weeks ago,
and he’s in play.
Though Knicks GM Scott Perry tends to favor American players who have grinded through the AAU scene, Hayes, an American citizen, is a perfect hybrid. His father, DeRon, played at Penn State before a professional career overseas in France, where Hayes was mostly raised.
But Hayes spent summers playing pickup basketball in his original hometown, Lakeland, Fla.
“I’ve played a lot of pickup there,’’ Hayes said. “You see a different style of basketball — more one-on-one based. It’s more competitive and definitely helped my game when I came back to France.”
His father has groomed him for the NBA from the outset.
“I got to learn from him at an early age,’’ Hayes said. “He’s been working me out since I was 5, 6 years old. I learned everything from him. I remember, as a kid, going to practices and home games. All those memories stuck with me. Him being pro made me want to be a pro. He inspired me to be the pro I am today.”
Having turned 19 in July, Hayes is one of the youngest players in the draft but played against older players in Germany. As a lefty, Hayes says his NBA idol is Manu Ginobili for his passing and footwork.
“I learned a lot being able to leading a group of grown men,’’ Hayes said. “I’m used to playing against a lot of physicality. People coming at me. That will definitely help me.’’
Hayes has had conversations with Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina and Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya — both from France. He says either could help him “integrate.’’
“Overall, his defense is good but so far has lacked consistency,’’ said former Knicks European scout Tim Shea, who consults with NBA teams on European prospects. “His favorite move is a step-back a la James Harden. He is the new age point guard/scorer the NBA doctor ordered. I think he and Frank Nitti [Ntilikina] would make an excellent pair in the backcourt going forward, as far as complements.’’
https://nypost.com/2020/11/13/nba-draft-2020-killian-hayes-hoping-he-shocked-doubters/
