A Complete MJ Hayes Player Evaluation

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peach Jam July 2023, a Dallas-based Pro Skills AAU outfit started two Memphis-based basketball stars. Both entered the month already ranked in the state's Top 5. In a win over Vegas Elite, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes']</strong> not only certified his belonging he actually made a pitch for Top 2.<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'] attends FACS.<br><br>What does the 15u-aged [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'] do so well, that gets him starter's minutes for an EYBL program?<br><br><strong>Offense (0-15):</strong>&nbsp;13<br><br>This is where [player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes'] shines. Steady even creative and slippery with the ball, Hayes can get by even top defenders with his dribble. He plays with a first step, and the quickness of his first step makes him the elite college prospect that he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of Hayes' weaker takes occurred against <strong>Dante Steward</strong> (PrepHoopsTN #10 in NV), during which MJ attacked the left and attempted a runner. He didn't get high enough to get the shot up to the rim, mostly because Steward is all of 6-foot-4 and a natural blocker. Still, Hayes earned his way to the free throw line where he converted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking broadly Hayes draws a lot of fouls. He is a ball dominant guard and those tend to get fouled more than most. Also, he is comfortable almost eager to attract multiple defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can he hit the outside shot? Yes. Not yet unstoppable, but he does not really need to be as Hayes gets to the rim with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting to the rim is one thing and Hayes takes it even a step beyond as he capably absorbs contact in the process. Stronger than he appears, Hayes is tough dude.<br><br><strong>Defense (0-10): </strong>7<br><br>MJ plays defense with his feet. Most of his success on that is the result of his feet situating himself in the dribbler's way. Hayes, in the game against Vegas Elite did not really get his chest in the way much. This is an aspect that he would do well to incorporate over time. Ideally, Hayes will mature into a domineering force physically in the next couple of years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The room for growth defensively is that willingness to be a punishing, overpowering defender. Can he keep you out of the lane with his size? Not yet. He works successfully with the feet, but there is a little timidity to his style. He almost defends like a pesky little brother. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He showed that he cared about defense, blocking or deflecting a shot here and there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore-to-be earned just four total fouls through four games, which reveals he is not a hacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rebounding (0-10): </strong>&nbsp;8<br><br>Hayes is and was a very good rebounder from the guard position. In the team's blowout win over Vegas Elite, Hayes finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His largest advantage when rebounding is quick reactions. He is not a bruiser of a bounder like some monster guards. Right now he is more effective getting to the ball first than overpowering contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/07/the-facs-future-is-now/">The FACS Future is Now - Prep Hoops</a><br><br><strong>Passing (0-10): </strong>&nbsp; 4<br><br>Hayes is more of an attacker than a passer or facilitator, at least during this final EYBL weekend. He only delivered 6 assists through 4 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is important to acknowledge that this evaluation merely considers his role on Pro Skills. He plays high school for FACS. <br><br><strong>Intangibles (0-5): </strong>4<br><br>Aggression is a strength. Investment is another. Hayes should become more vocal, as he probably will mature into a point guard. Very few players his age talk on the court, but this is an easy way to assume more leadership and control the game even more. Also, talking helps deliver information, helpful information to teammates in real-time.<br><br><strong>FINAL SCORE (0-50): </strong>36<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549096' first='MJ' last='Hayes']</strong> will be a D1 basketball player. He looks certain to be Top 10 in his class statewide from beginning to end. Programs like Memphis, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Murray State, SMU, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, UT Martin should all offer him eventually. He is good enough to make an impact at those levels. He is a different player, but he is just as good as <strong>Matthew Murrell</strong> was at this stage and Murrell is a senior starter for Ole Miss right now.<br><br><strong>Previous evaluations</strong><br><br>38 <a href="https://prephoops.com/2018/05/brandon-miller-player-evaluation/">Brandon Miller</a> (2018 [program_tooltip program_id='2078768' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2078768' first='RSD' last='']' last=''] 15u)<br>33&nbsp;Brandon Thomas (2018 Blackman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->