Kenny Hayes is coming off a season in which he was named NBA D-League Most Improved Player, going from a player that put up 7.1 points per game in 2010-11 to one that dropped 17.1 a game in 2011-12, as the 6-foot-2 guard from Miami University of Ohio broke out for the Maine Red Claws. That includes a 52-point night in March that fell just one point shy of the all-time record for most points in an NBA Development League game.

Although Hayes has yet to play in an NBA game, the Cleveland Cavaliers did enlist him in their team training camp prior to the 2011-2012 NBA season before waiving him when the season started. But considering his breakout year in the NBA D-League since then, he makes a strong case for an NBA Call-Up.

Prior to joining the D-League, Hayes played ball for Miami University (Ohio) averaging 14.9 points a game in his senior year. Shortly after the conclusion of this year’s D-League season, he signed up in May to play basketball in Venezuela where he is averaging 10.5 points a game there.

For teams in the NBA using aging point guards to start their games, Hayes could be a reliable player off the bench to help the main guards rest. But even though Hayes stepped up his scoring this past season, his other numbers didn’t go up proportionally – despite practically doubling the minutes he played each game. He’ll have to prove he can do more than shoot the ball in order to gain more attention from NBA teams.

His Ceiling

NBA teams went far deeper in 2011-12 than they did in years past, owing to a condensed season that wore players down. Hayes could certainly land a spot on an NBA team out of camp, and if the trend of expanded lineups continues, he could see 10-15 minutes a night.

What He Needs from Summer League

Since Hayes doesn’t have any official NBA experience yet, he needs to wow the scouts. He’s a great scorer but needs to demonstrate he’s got the defensive chops and assists to be a solid all-around point guard.

Quote

“Kenny Hayes is the type of player that the NBA Development is and should be about,” said former Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings after Hayes earned the Most Improved Player award. “Even when he was not seeing a lot of action last season, he kept learning and battling to earn a spot in the lineup. The player who arrived in Maine this season was confident and driven, and it became apparent right from training camp that he was going to be a leader for this team this year. I am extremely proud of the player and person that Kenny Hayes has developed into. The future holds great things for him.”

More on Hayes

NBA Experience

None

NBA D-League Experience

2 years (2010-12 with Maine)

International Experience

Venezuela

College

Miami University (Ohio)

NBA Equivalent

Steve Blake

Skills

Scoring

Areas of Improvement

Defense, distribution