A Wisconsin legend is returning after the Milwaukee Bucks made a trade with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday morning.
According to Shams Charania, the Bucks are sending Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Suns in exchange for Nick Richards and former Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis. Hayes-Davis is back in the NBA for the first time in seven years after spending a majority of his career overseas. He'll now be back in Wisconsin once again for the time being.
Former Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis is back in Wisconsin after NBA trade sends him to Milwaukee
The former Badger, who had spent the last seven years playing overseas, signed with the Suns ahead of this NBA season. Hayes-Davis was averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in a reserve role for Phoenix, and will now join the Bucks, who appear to be holding off on a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal for now.
Hayes-Davis was a part of the magical NCAA Tournament run in 2015, when the Badgers lost to Duke in the Championship Game. Largely thought of as one of the best Badger teams ever, Hayes-Davis was named a third team All-Big Ten selection while his teammate Frank Kaminsky took home the National Player of the Year honors. Hayes went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, however, and then bounced around the G-League for a bit, before ending up overseas.
Hayes-Davis was always a fan favorite at Wisconsin with his humble approach and kind demeanor, and if he does ever suit up for the Bucks he's sure to get a standing ovation in Fiserv Forum. And while he won't provide a dramatic boost to the Bucks in their hunt for the playoffs, it's a great story to see a beloved player back in the state that brought him so much success in his college career.