Recruiting Report: Damani Hayes (2018)
Damani Hayes gave the Mankato East Cougars nearly 20 points per game this winter leading the team to a solid season. NHR caught up with Hayes today.
“This winter I learned just what kind of mentality I need to have,” Hayes said. “I think this year I took a big step in confidence and decisiveness compared to my sophomore winter season. That was huge for me. It helped me to create opportunities for my team and myself. That I will take into all my seasons to come.”
Hayes has definitely matured as a player. That has become quite clear in the past couple months and his stock is moving up as a prospect. To get where he wants to be Hayes has a pattern of work he wants to put in.
“If I am blessed with the opportunity to play college basketball, I will be in a guard position,” Hayes said. “So this summer I hope to improve my ball handling and outside shooting to an elite level. I will be also working on speed and vertical training. I need to continue to improve my athleticism and speed.”
Hayes has played for both D1 Minnesota Rise and Grassroots Hoops Sizzle this spring.
“Both teams and programs provide me unique and beneficial experiences,” Damani said. “I’ve played against top talent and great teams. I learned a lot about what it takes to win.
“There’s an attitude, an aggressiveness and relentlessness that it takes to win. Having that mentality will turn into wins. Also, the strength required because fouls are less frequent. There’s no time to whine to the refs, you have to play through it. It’s about being tough, these first few events reminded me of that.
“Also, one play taken off can be a loss. I’ve played in a lot of close games already and been on the winning and losing side. You can’t take any plays off.”
The physical abilities and consistent production have led to Hayes receiving calls from a host of schools.
“I have had conversations with Yale and Cornell, as well as some more local schools. I’m planning on visiting some of the local ones like St. John’s soon.
“I have had some interest from schools like Lehigh, Boston College, Wright St., Central Connecticut St., and Youngstown St. but I haven’t had conversations with them. Bethany Lutheran, my hometown college, has also been at all my local games.”
Damani has 2.5 more months of play with D1 Minnesota Rise and Grassroots Hoops Sizzle and he has goals in mind for the upcoming months.
“Personally, I hope to prepare myself skill and body wise for college basketball and to continue to prove I can play at a high level. My team goals are to win more games as we get into the summer.”