Jaxson Hayes Bio
Jaxson Reed Hayes is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 213 centimeters tall, the center plays a developmental role as a rim runner, lob threat, and interior defender. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns before entering the NBA in 2019.
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Hayes was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans on draft night. He spent his first four professional seasons in New Orleans before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023, where he has continued to develop his game.
Early Life and Background
Jaxson Reed Hayes was born on May 23, 2000, in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. He grew up in a deeply athletic household, with both parents having competed at high levels in their respective sports. His exposure to elite athletics from a young age shaped his path toward a basketball career.
Hayes attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the most storied basketball programs in the country. He experienced a dramatic growth spurt during his high school years, going from six feet tall as a freshman to six feet eleven inches by his senior year. As a senior, he averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the top centers in his recruiting class.
In 2018, Hayes represented Team Ohio at the Junior International Tournament in Lissone, Italy, leading the squad to its fifth title at the event. Following his senior season, he committed to the University of Texas to play college basketball.
Path to Basketball
Hayes signed with the Texas Longhorns, where he stepped into an immediate role as a freshman during the 2018-19 season. He averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 72.8 percent from the field, showcasing his finishing ability around the rim.
His freshman campaign featured several highlights, including a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds in a 69-56 loss to TCU. Hayes also recorded two steals and a block in that outing. He suffered a left knee injury in a loss to Kansas during the Big 12 Tournament, though the setback did not derail his freshman trajectory.
Hayes earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, along with selections to the Second-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. He also helped Texas win the 2019 National Invitation Tournament. On April 11, 2019, Hayes declared for the NBA draft, giving up his remaining three years of college eligibility.
Jaxson Hayes Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
The Atlanta Hawks selected Hayes with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. His draft rights were then traded, along with the rights to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Didi Louzada, plus a heavily protected 2020 first-round pick, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the rights to De’Andre Hunter and Solomon Hill. The trade was officially completed on July 7, 2019.
Hayes made his NBA debut on October 10, 2019, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting against the Golden State Warriors. He notched his first career start on November 17, 2019, replacing an injured Derrick Favors, and recorded his first double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 108-100 victory over Golden State. He continued producing double-doubles in the following weeks, including a then-career-high 20 points against the Boston Celtics.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2019-2023)
During the 2020-21 season, Hayes posted a season-high 19 points in a 107-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on May 7, 2021, and matched that total a week later against the Golden State Warriors. His role fluctuated entering the 2021-22 season, and on December 6, 2021, the Pelicans assigned him to their NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. He was recalled two days later.
Hayes re-established himself in the second half of the 2021-22 season, moving into the starting lineup and averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds over the final 23 games. He scored 23 points alongside 12 rebounds on April 5, 2022, in a win over the Sacramento Kings that helped New Orleans clinch a play-in tournament spot. The Pelicans qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, ultimately losing to the Phoenix Suns in six games during the first round.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2023-Present)
On July 6, 2023, Hayes signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season with the team, he made 70 appearances during the 2023-24 NBA season, averaging 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists while serving as a depth option in the frontcourt.
Following the midseason trade of Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, Hayes stepped into a larger role. He started 35 games during the 2024-25 NBA season and appeared in 56 total contests, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist. On July 3, 2025, Hayes re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hayes is recognized for his shot-blocking, lob-catching, and rim-running abilities. His length and mobility allow him to finish efficiently at the rim and protect the paint, and his continued development as a rebounder has expanded his role in NBA rotations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hayes was part of the 2023 NBA Cup championship run with the Lakers. He also won the 2019 National Invitation Tournament with Texas, captured the 2018 Junior International Tournament title with Team Ohio, and recorded his first NBA double-double against the Golden State Warriors in November 2019.
Jaxson Hayes Career Wins
Hayes has accumulated team and tournament success across the Junior International Tournament, college basketball, and the NBA. His résumé includes championship hardware at the international, collegiate, and professional levels.
NBA Highlights
With the Los Angeles Lakers, Hayes contributed to the franchise’s 2023 NBA Cup championship, his first major professional title. He has continued to log rotation minutes alongside a growing role following the 2025 trade of Anthony Davis.
Other Wins and Performances
Hayes won the 2018 Junior International Tournament with Team Ohio, the 2019 NIT with the Texas Longhorns, and earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Second-team All-Big 12, and Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2019.
Jaxson Hayes Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Hayes was born to Jonathan Hayes and Kristi Kinne. His father, Jonathan Hayes, played in the National Football League and later served as the head coach of the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. His mother, Kristi Kinne, played basketball at Drake University from 1991 to 1995, earning honorable mention Kodak All-American accolades and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior. She previously served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Oklahoma, Iowa, and Southern Illinois-Carbondale.
Personal Life
Hayes has three siblings: Jillian, a starting forward at the University of Cincinnati; Jewett, a defensive end at the University of Virginia; and Jonah. In October 2025, Hayes announced he was planning to pursue a passport to play for the Slovenian national basketball team alongside teammate Luka Doncic.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist across 56 appearances, starting 35 games after the Anthony Davis trade to the Dallas Mavericks. His expanded role allowed him to showcase his development as a finisher and interior defender for the Lakers.
On July 3, 2025, Hayes re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year contract, signaling the franchise’s continued confidence in his trajectory. His ability to space the floor vertically, set screens, and protect the rim makes him a valuable rotation piece for the Lakers’ frontcourt plans.
Looking ahead, Hayes is also pursuing Slovenian nationality to represent the national team alongside Luka Doncic, citing the lack of open tryouts for the United States team as a motivating factor. His upcoming season will be defined by his role within the Lakers’ rotation and the potential for an international basketball career with Slovenia.