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Wisconsin Basketball: Nigel Hayes Enters Combine with Open Mind

By Jim Oxley

Jan 17, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) handles the ball defended by Michigan State Spartans forward Kenny Goins (25). Wisconsin defeated Michigan State 77-76 at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) handles the ball defended by Michigan State Spartans forward Kenny Goins (25). Wisconsin defeated Michigan State 77-76 at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin basketball junior Nigel Hayes is at the NBA Combine, but he hasn’t made his mind up yet about leaving the Badgers

Nigel Hayes began his 2016 NBA Combine experience Tuesday in Chicago, looking for more information and feedback about his potential draft stock.

Related Story: Hayes Talks Potential Return to Badgers

Hayes, who didn’t hire an agent after declaring for the NBA Draft, is still eligible to return to the Badgers if he withdraws from the draft within 10 days of the NBA Combine.

As reported by Wisconsin State Journal reporter Jason Galloway, the NBA Combine is another of Hayes’ steps towards gathering all available information about his NBA draft stock.

As Hayes told Galloway, the door is still open to come back:

"“It’s just a chance to improve or help your draft situation, whether it’s this year or next year.”"

Hayes clearly has not made up his mind yet on whether or not he will stay in consideration for the NBA draft this season, as he’s waiting to see how teams respond to his workout at the Combine.

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He’s already completed an individual workout for the Atlanta Hawks, too.

These workouts – the combine and any other individual workouts he schedules – will help Hayes figure out where he could be drafted.

Most mock drafts list him as a second round pick or leave him off entirely, but Hayes told Galloway he thinks he can convince teams he’s a first-rounder with a strong combine, and said he has a realistic chance at being a first round choice.

"“I think it’s definitely something that’s realistic. And again, one of the biggest (factors) in that is my outside shooting and wing play. I’m never going to be a tweener or a four because I’m only 6-7, which is why they put so much onus on whether I can shoot it better and more consistently. If I could perform from that perspective during this combine, I could hear some good things.”"

Hayes is a smart player who knows where his strengths are. He said as much to Galloway.

"“I don’t think I’m an exceptional athlete, so it’s not like I’m going to have a 48-inch vertical or be the quickest agility guy here. My strength isn’t really my athletic ability, it’s just the skills and being able to do a lot. I’ll do my best, but it’s not like I’m going to put up these astronomical numbers.”"

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Once the NBA Combine concludes, Hayes will have a decision on his hands – to stay or to go.

He will have until May 25 – 10 days after the completion of the NBA Combine –  to decide if he wants to return to the Badgers or stay in consideration for the NBA Draft.

From all of Hayes’ talk so far, it sounds like he’s more than ready to return to the Badgers if he doesn’t like his stock heading into the draft.

He also seems equally as ready to head off to the NBA if he likes what he hears over the next few days from scouts, teams and others.

Next: Opinion: If Hayes leaves the Badgers will be fine in 2016

Badgers fans don’t need to wait much longer to find out if Hayes will be back this season.

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