Gordon Hayward

• Red_Skin_Pride

  

  First of all, I will preface this by saying I'm an OSU fan, so I have no dog in the fight for the NC game.
  
  That being said, I have watched Butler all season long, playing some really good teams, especially recently like we all have in the tourney, and this kid can flat up fill it. He has an extremely good skill-set for a guy his size (6'9), and he is a good defender (like everyone else for the Bulldogs).
  
  My question is really a two parter...what was the deal with this kid coming out of HS? Was he not offered by "bigger" or more "prestigious" programs? Or was he, and decided to go to Butler for some other reason? I think they said tonight that he is from Indiana, so I'm sure that had something to do with it...
  
  And secondly, who does he remind you guys of, in terms of college basketball players? I've followed Gonzaga for years, and he reminds me, almost to the point that it's scary, of Adam Morrison (sans the horrid mustache) both in height & stature, and what he brings to the floor for his team.
  
  (And please, Dukies, don't turn this into "our shooters are better", we all know Duke can shoot, and pretty much everyone who knows anything about college bball knows about Scheyer, Singler and the bunch. Just trying to get some talk about this kid, because IMO he's damn good for a sophmore playing at a mid-major).
• reclegend22

  

  I've seen where Laley has stated that Hayward was actually only six-foot-one at the height of his high school recruitment, and grew seven inches or whatever once he hit Butler. Much like Mike Dunleavy did at Duke between 2000 and 2001. Dunleavy came to Durham a 6-4 shooting guard and left a 6-9, almost 6-10, wing of terror. Pretty amazing.
  
  Hayward is an outstanding player.
• reclegend22

  

  And secondly, who does he remind you guys of, in terms of college basketball players? I've followed Gonzaga for years, and he reminds me, almost to the point that it's scary, of Adam Morrison (sans the horrid mustache) both in height & stature, and what he brings to the floor for his team.

  I actually think Howard fits the Adam Morrison mold perfectly. Not so much in the style of their games, but in their floppy hair, staches and body language -- always drooping over at the shoulders like a mad monster.
  
  But I respect Howard a lot. He's a great player, too.
• hoops23

  

  I'll take this Howard kid over Morrison any day though.
  
  He has helped carry this team to the championship game. I was VERY impressed with the game this kid had against MSU. He basically carried them early in the first half. Then he made the big plays late to help seal the win.
• karen lotz

  

  Who are you guys talking about? Heyward or Howard?
• royal_k

  

  karen lotz wrote: Who are you guys talking about? Heyward or Howard?

  lol...i I think they meant Heyward
• karen lotz

  

  royal_k wrote:

  karen lotz wrote: Who are you guys talking about? Heyward or Howard?

  lol...i I think they meant Heyward

  I don't think Heyward has floppy hair and it appears he is still 5 years away from being able to grow any kind of facial hair.
• royal_k

  

  Yeah, his hair really isn't floppy and he has no mustache. But he is a great player.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Maybe my favorite college basketball player of all time..right up there with Mario Chalmers and Brandon Roy (my #1 and 2).
• Prescott

  I don't know which teams recruited or offered Hayward, but he is listed as 6'7" on the Scout recruit site and it is also noted that he played for the Spiece Indy Heat - MG on the AAU circuit.I think Spiece is a top notch AAU program.
  
  http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=2&cfg=null&cid=648692&nid=3176674&fhn=1&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fscouthoops.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d75%26p%3d9%26c%3d2%26cfg%3dnull%26cid%3d648692%26nid%3d3176674%26fhn%3d1
  
  Here is a little background story on Hayward, which was written yesterday.
  
  http://www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2010-04-03/what-we-learned-folks-know-who-gordon-hayward-now
• lhslep134

  

  He went to the same school as Mark Titus for what it's worth LOL.
• Little Danny

  

  He obviously is a late bloomer. Even today he looks like he is 14 years old and has yet to develop the strength to go inside.
• Prescott

  I think he just liked Butler. He committed prior to his senior season and kept that commitment.He had a pretty solid senior year and I would guess he was approached by some big schools.
  
  From the Butler website.
  
  High School: First team All-State performer at Brownsburg High School...named Indianapolis Star Player of the Year...chosen to the Indiana All-Star Team for the annual summer Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series...finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals to help lead Indiana past Kentucky at Conseco Fieldhouse...scored six points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds in the second Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Game...team captain and all-conference player...named Academic All-State...averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a senior, while helping Brownsburg to a 22-5 record and the Indiana Class 4A state championship...hit 44 three-point field goals in 2007-08...posted a high game of 30 points against Westfield...had a high-game of 19 rebounds against North Central...hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to lead Brownsburg past Marion, 40-39, in the state title game...received the Arthur L. Trester Award, presented to the outstanding senior participant in each classification, based on excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability, at the 4A state finals...averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for 14-9 Brownsburg as a junior...finished high school career with 929 points...ranks in the "Top Five" at Brownsburg in career rebounds (398), career assists (198) and career steals (176)...helped Brownsburg to a 48-25 record over three varsity seasons...earned three varsity basketball letters...High School Coach: Joshua Kendrick.
• devil1197

  Do you guys think he gets nervous and bites his lip?
• UA5straightin2008

  

  baby faced assassin
• Laley23

  

  He was only about 6 foot when he signed his LOI I think. He sprouted up to his current height during his SR season in HS. He was NEVER going to make it at a major program at 6-1 even maybe about 6-3. But at 6-7/8/9 and with his skill set he developed as a PG, he wouldve been offered by about everyone.
  
  Prescott, Spiece Indy Heat is very good, but the top AAU program in Indiana (Indianapolis) is Indiana Elite One and Eric Gordon All-Stars are GOING to be the best in time IMO.
  
  BTW, the guy who runs Spiece is Mr Spiece who traditionally sends his kids away from IU...lol
• Prescott

  BTW, the guy who runs Spiece is Mr Spiece who traditionally sends his kids away from IU.

  Didn't Oden, Conley, and Cook play for Spiece?
• Laley23

  

  Prescott wrote:

  BTW, the guy who runs Spiece is Mr Spiece who traditionally sends his kids away from IU.

  Didn't Oden, Conley, and Cook play for Spiece?

  Yeah, Im not saying they arent a top program. I was just throwing out the rival one, which is deeper with more players and teams.
  
  Speice definitely gets their fare share of stars though. But through and through and over time Indiana Elite is the top program.
  
  Last year Indiana Elite was consistently winning or competing in the finals of the national tourneys in the U-17, 16 and 15 teams. I believe in 5 tourneys the U16s (or the corresponding 2012 class of players, not sure what age group that is) played each other in the finals.
• centralbucksfan

  Kid is DAMN GOOD and I love watching him play!! Never really realized how good until I have watched him in the NCAA. He is old school good. Great looking jumper, great foot work, high bball IQ.
• UA5straightin2008

  

  is it me, or do all of his shots have a high high high rainbow arch to them
  
  nonetheless, they tend to go in, hes a great player and ive been watching a lot of butler this year and cheering for them because my girlfriend is a freshman there, she said campus has been nuts all week!!
• Red_Skin_Pride

  

  Thanks for a lot of this info guys. I definately think if he keeps improving over the next few seasons, with his height, he will have a nice chance to contribute in the NBA. He'll only look like he's about 16 when he gets there lol.