2. KILLIAN HAYES / GUARD / ULM
It’s remarkable how such little attention has been paid to Killian Hayes up to this point in the pre-draft process. Most mocks still have him as a fringe top-10 pick. He should have a spot in the top-five cemented. Hayes fits the mold of a game-changing NBA point guard better than perhaps anyone in this class. He’s a twitchy athlete, a dynamic passer, and a talented live-dribble scorer.
Hayes has great size for his position at 6-foot-5. He’s in the mix for best passer in this class, and his ability to slash inside and locate open teammates on the perimeter is almost unrivaled. He’s great on the move and in those live-dribble situations. Whether it’s creating space with a sweeping step-back or whipping a cross-court pass, Hayes knows how to utilize his available tools.
Of course, Hayes has his flaws. He is much more comfortable shooting step-backs than he is spotting up. He also favors his left hand more than he should, which will have to be improved at the next level. This is a class of imperfect prospects, however, and Hayes’ skill set is one of the easiest to project stardom onto.