NBA Draft 2019: Big Board 5.0

An unheralded recruit before the season, Jaxson Hayes quickly added his name to Texas’ growing list of athletic big men. He measured well at the combine, nearing the 7-foot mark and boasting a 7-foot-4 wingspan. His presence as a lob threat and rim protector will serve an NBA team well.

With both length and mobility, Hayes projects well as a defensive anchor. He needs to add more weight, but his frame affords him room to do so. He can deter shots with his length, but his potential to defend in space and survive in the postseason is perhaps his most compelling attribute in 2019.

On the other end, Hayes is a vertical spacer and lob threat, setting strong screens and rolling to the rim with great effectiveness. His hands are impressive, which is further served by his large catch radius. He’s not much of a shooter or passer, but he’s also young and inexperienced. There’s reason to believe he can (and will) improve.