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Wisconsin Basketball: Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes left off NBA Combine invitation

By Trevor Jossart

Nov 27, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (L), head coach Greg Gard, and forward Nigel Hayes (R) pose for photos after Koenig and Hayes were presented with basketball commemorated their 1,000 career points for the Badgers at the Kohl Center prior to their game against the Prairie View A&M Panthers. The Badgers won 95-50. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (L), head coach Greg Gard, and forward Nigel Hayes (R) pose for photos after Koenig and Hayes were presented with basketball commemorated their 1,000 career points for the Badgers at the Kohl Center prior to their game against the Prairie View A&M Panthers. The Badgers won 95-50. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Wisconsin Badgers Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes were left off the 2017 NBA Combine list

In a rapidly changing game where one-and-dones and superb underclassman are stealing the show, former Wisconsin Badgers basketball players Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes will have some extra work to do if they wish to make it to the NBA.

Of the 60+ invitees the NBA sent out to the Draft Combine, which is set to take place May 9-14, neither Koenig nor Hayes were on the list. In fact, neither were listed as an alternate as well.

Koenig was unfortunate to have dealt with injuries in the latter half of his final season of the Badgers, while Hayes struggled at times to replicate his contributions many were used to during his freshman and sophomore years. Despite the negative chatter he received, Hayes averaged a career high 15.7 points per game as a junior. As a senior, he improved in nearly every major category- shooting the ball better behind the three-point line as well as overall.

While a lack of an invite to the Combine is not a promising sign, many draft experts had the two of them being drafted right after the college basketball season concludes, especially Hayes.

From Chris Bumbaca and the Badger Herald:

"In most mock drafts he is projected to go in the second round, and that’s if he is even selected at all. DraftExpress has Hayes hearing his name called at No. 54 (out of 60) by the Utah Jazz. ESPN NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford has Hayes listed as the No. 90 prospect in his top-100 rankings, and considers him a late second round pick or an undrafted free agent."

With only two rounds and 60 players being drafted every year, the odds are not with Koenig and Hayes at this time to hear their name called. Numerous college underclassman have declared this season, which seems to be the norm each year, making it harder on those four-year players that stuck around. Why would an NBA player take a 22/23 year old player when they get someone with the same skill set at age 18/19?

There still is time for underclassmen who did not sign an agent to withdraw their name and return to school- much like Hayes did last season she he chose to return to Wisconsin for his senior season.

Hayes and Koenig most definitely have some sort of professional career ahead of them- whether it is overseas or in the D-League, or (fingers crossed) through the NBA Draft and into the league right away. The two are born leaders and winners and have multiple assets that can help out any team looking for someone to help contribute right away.

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