Killian Hayes Bio
Killian Deron Antron Hayes is a French-American professional basketball player who currently serves as a point guard for the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League. Born on July 27, 2001, in Lakeland, Florida, he was raised in France, where he developed his basketball skills through the youth system of Cholet Basket. A standout at every junior level, Hayes was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft and has continued his professional journey across the NBA, the G League, and European competition. He holds dual French and American nationality and is widely respected for his vision, passing, and playmaking instincts from the point guard position.
Early Life and Background
Killian Hayes was born in Lakeland, Florida, the son of DeRon Hayes, an American basketball player who was competing in the American Basketball Association at the time, and Sandrine Demiannay, a former basketball player from Cholet, France. His parents met because his mother’s sister was dating his father’s teammate. One year after Killian’s birth, the family relocated to Cholet, France, where his father continued his playing career in the LNB Pro A, the country’s top professional league.
Growing up between France and the United States, Hayes faced older opponents in pick-up games in Lakeland and Orlando while absorbing the game through YouTube highlights and AND1 mixtapes. He drew inspiration from Dwyane Wade and modeled much of his offensive style after James Harden. He eventually chose to remain in France rather than pursue high school and college basketball in the United States, following advice from his father, who had experience with the American basketball system. In 2016, Hayes turned down an offer to attend the prestigious INSEP sports institute in Paris and began competing in the LNB Espoirs under-21 league for Espoirs Cholet during the 2016–17 season.
Path to Professional Basketball
Hayes rapidly climbed through the French basketball ranks. In the 2017–18 Espoirs Cholet season, he averaged 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, earning league MVP honors and leading his team to the Trophée du Futur title. On the international stage, he led France to a gold medal at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, Montenegro, where he was named tournament MVP after posting 16.6 points, seven rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. The following year, Hayes starred at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, capturing a silver medal and earning a spot on the All-Star Five.
He signed a three-year professional contract with Cholet before the 2018–19 season and developed his game in one of Europe’s top leagues. In 2019, Hayes made the move to Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga, joining ratiopharm Ulm for the 2019–20 campaign. His strong play with Ulm, including standout EuroCup performances, positioned him as one of the top international prospects ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Killian Hayes Career
Early Career at Cholet (2017–2019)
Hayes debuted for Cholet’s senior team on October 21, 2017, at just 16 years, two months, and 24 days old, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear in LNB Pro A. He recorded 12 points and six assists in his final Pro A game of that season, finishing his first year with averages of 2.2 points and 1.2 assists in 9.1 minutes per game across nine appearances.
Returning for the 2018–19 season, Hayes assumed a larger role and posted a season-high 17 points, five rebounds, and five steals in a loss to Élan Chalon. He finished the campaign averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 assists per game in 34 contests, establishing himself as a legitimate NBA prospect.
German Basketball Bundesliga Breakthrough (2019–2020)
On August 2, 2019, Hayes signed a three-year contract with ratiopharm Ulm, marking his transition to a top European league and the EuroCup. He debuted on September 24 with 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists against Rasta Vechta, and went on to record multiple double-doubles, including 11 points and 11 assists versus Alba Berlin.
Hayes also posted a then-career-high 24 points against Brose Bamberg and later set a new high with 25 points, five three-pointers, and five assists in a defeat to Maccabi Rishon LeZion. His EuroCup performances included becoming the second-youngest player ever to register a double-double in the competition. He finished the abbreviated season averaging 11.6 points, 5.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game across 33 combined BBL, EuroCup, and BBL-Pokal appearances. After the BBL was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayes declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Detroit Pistons Era (2020–2024)
Hayes was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft and signed his rookie scale contract on December 1, 2020. His rookie season was disrupted by a hip labral tear in January 2021, which sidelined him for at least two months. He returned to record a season-high 11 assists against Dallas and 21 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists against Chicago.
In his second season, Hayes posted a career-high 26 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and five steals in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and tied his career high with 12 assists against Charlotte. On December 28, 2022, he was involved in an on-court altercation with Mo Wagner and was suspended three games without pay. Hayes was waived by the Pistons on February 8, 2024.
Cleveland Charge Era (2025–Present)
On September 24, 2025, Hayes signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers but was waived on October 16. He was subsequently added to the training camp roster of the Cavaliers’ NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, where he continues to compete as a starting point guard.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hayes is widely praised for his elite court vision and ability to deliver passes off the live dribble with his left hand, particularly out of pick-and-roll situations. He owns above-average size for a point guard and uses a smooth floater around the rim along with reliable free throw shooting. While his three-point shooting remains a work in progress, he is comfortable creating his own offense and stepping back for contested jumpers, modeling his game after James Harden.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Hayes’s career include his MVP award and gold medal at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship, a silver medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, and his historic status as the second-youngest player to record a EuroCup double-double. In the NBA, he set career highs of 26 points and 12 assists while with the Detroit Pistons.
Killian Hayes Career Wins
Hayes has compiled an impressive list of team and individual accomplishments across the youth, club, and professional ranks. His trophy case features a French youth title, the Trophée du Futur, a FIBA U16 European gold medal, and an NBA Draft lottery selection.
International and Youth Highlights
Representing France at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship, Hayes led his country to gold and earned tournament MVP honors. A year later, he guided France to a silver medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina and was named to the All-Star Five.
Other Wins and Performances
At the club level, Hayes was named MVP of the LNB Espoirs regular season and the Trophée du Futur in 2017–18, helping Espoirs Cholet capture the youth championship. He also shared MVP honors at the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic International Game.
Killian Hayes Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Hayes comes from a deeply basketball-rooted family. His father, DeRon Hayes, played college basketball for the Penn State Nittany Lions in the early 1990s and went on to a professional career in France, Portugal, Sweden, Ukraine, and Russia, spending much of his prime with Cholet and SLUC Nancy. His mother, Sandrine Demiannay, is a native of Cholet and a former basketball player as well. Both parents shaped Killian’s understanding of the game from an early age.
Personal Life
Hayes was raised primarily in Cholet, France, before eventually returning to the United States for his professional career. Public details about his marital status and personal relationships remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined by movement between organizations for Killian Hayes. After being waived by the Brooklyn Nets in October 2024, he joined the Long Island Nets before signing a 10-day contract with Brooklyn on February 19, 2025. Following his release from that contract, Hayes returned to Long Island before signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers in late September.
Although he was waived by the Cavaliers on October 16, Hayes quickly landed with their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, giving him an opportunity to play consistent minutes as a primary ball-handler. His experience and playmaking remain valuable assets as he works to return to a full-time NBA role.
Looking ahead, Hayes will continue to focus on improving his shooting consistency and perimeter defense while serving as a veteran leader in the Cavaliers’ developmental system. A strong G League campaign could put him back on the radar for NBA teams seeking a steady, pass-first point guard.