Former University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes signed a one year contract with the Houston Rockets this past off-season. The 2015-16 season will be Hayes’ 12th in the NBA. And even though his career averages of 3.7 points and and 5.0 rebounds is hardly eye-popping, Hayes has made his mark on the professional level the same way he did in Lexington: playing hard and playing smart.
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
For some in the Big Blue Nation, the Final Four drought between the 1998 NCAA title and the 2011 Final Four team is the dark ages for Kentucky Basketball. Since the Wildcats didn’t make it to the last weekend of the NCAA tournament, the players from that era tend to get overlooked. Chuck Hayes wasn’t the most talented player during that time, but it would be hard to find one more valuable. On the 2002-03 team that finished 32-4, won 29 straight and reached the Elite Eight, Hayes was the leading rebounder and led the Cats by shooting 78% from the free throw line. The 2003-04 team finished 27-5 and went into the NCAA Tournament as the number one overall seed. And even though the team was upset by UAB in the second round, the season was very good and Hayes again led the team in rebounding.
To understand the fickle nature of the NCAA Tournament, look at the 2005 Elite Eight matchup of Kentucky vs. Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans won in double overtime only after Patrick Sparks’ desperation three was reviewed to send the game into the first overtime. At the end of the day, however, Hayes and the Cats were again denied a Final Four berth. For the third straight season, Chuck Hayes led the Wildcats in rebounding and was second on the team in scoring. Despite all the success during Hayes’ time at Kentucky, it’s a shame that the team was never able to get over that hump and get to the Final Four.
Jan 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Chuck Hayes (44) during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Air Canada Centre. The Clippers beat the Raptors 126-118. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s fair to say that Chuck Hayes has limitations in his basketball game. He’s listed at 6’6″ and 240 lbs, hardly imposing for a player that makes his living in the paint. Despite his size, he’s still seventh in all time rebounds in Kentucky history. Hayes was undrafted out of Kentucky and spent time in the NBA’s Development League, eventually earning a 10 day contract with the Rockets. That contract has led to an extended career that has lasted far longer than many experts predicted. The peak of his career was for the 2009 NBA playoffs and the following 2009-10 season, where he was team co-captain. With starting center Yao Ming injured, Hayes stepped into the starting spot and flourished. His best statistical season was 2010-11 when he averaged 7.9 points and 8.1 rebounds.
As Chuck Hayes’s NBA career winds down, it’s appropriate to look back on the hard work the kid from Modesto, CA put into playing basketball. He made his mark at the best program in college basketball history and earned a decent living playing professionally. This former Wildcat has done himself, his family and the Big Blue Nation proud. And when the 2015-16 season tips off, you know that Chuck will be ready to put in some work.
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