Jarvis Hayes and his teammates recently wrapped up the 2003-04 season. Hayes checked in one last time before enjoying a much deserved break after a successful rookie campaign.

Hayes played 29.2 minutes a game in his first year in the league. NBAE/Getty Images

Heading into my first off-season as a professional, it is going to be a lot different. Last summer was a different story with the Draft and mini-camps and my first training camp, but this summer I’ll be more prepared. Looking ahead to next season, I’m going to start working out early. I’m lifting weights a lot more than I ever have before, so I’ll be stronger throughout the long season. Physically, I’ll be more prepared for the grind next year.

Everyone knows how hard injuries hit us this year, but you could find a silver lining in it somewhat. It was unfortunate to lose our big guns so early in this season, but for me, as a result of it I was able to get more playing time and gain more experience. The experience that some of us gained when we weren’t healthy will make us a better team down the line.

Personally, when the injury bug hit me late in the season, it was tough because that was new to me. I had never sat out significant time due to injury. It was tough watching. I had been injured before, but I was able to play hurt. This time, it was to the point that I had to go on the Injured List. It’s frustrating to be sitting there and watching.

The biggest thing that I can take out of this season is that it was a learning experience. In order to win and be successful, you have to go through some growing pains. I think that this was a stage in my career, and in the development of this team, and hopefully we’re stronger for it.

At this point, I am going to relax a little bit. I’ll probably take a month off from basketball right now. I’ll be keeping up with my cardio, and I’ll be in the weight room so that I’m ready to go to camp, but I probably won’t do anything with a ball for about a month.

We’ll be ready to go next year. We’re starting over. Everybody will be 0-0, and we’ll have another year under our belts. And somebody else is going to the rookie. I’ll be sure to badger them like everyone did to me and Steve Blake this year. I’m looking forward to it.

The tenth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Hayes wrapped up his rookie season with 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Hayes started in 42 of the 70 games he appeared in.