Nigel Hayes-Davis Bio
Nigel Hayes-Davis (né Hayes; born December 16, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, he combines forward versatility with a guard’s scoring touch, a profile that has shaped a career spanning the NBA, the NBA G League, and top European competitions.
A two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection, Hayes-Davis holds the record for most points scored in a single EuroLeague game, having scored 50 points against Alba Berlin in the 2023–24 season. He won the EuroLeague championship in 2025 with Fenerbahçe, earning the Final Four MVP award in the process.
Early Life and Background
Nigel Hayes-Davis was born on December 16, 1994, in Westerville, Ohio, and grew up in nearby Toledo, Ohio. He attended Whitmer High School, where he developed into one of the more highly regarded high school prospects in the region. His size and skill set allowed him to contribute across multiple positions early in his development.
Coming from a Midwestern upbringing, Hayes-Davis balanced academics and athletics as he prepared for the next level. He ultimately took his game to the University of Wisconsin, joining one of the most tradition-rich programs in the Big Ten Conference. His path reflected a steady climb rooted in family support and disciplined preparation.
Path to Basketball
Hayes-Davis joined the Wisconsin Badgers and quickly earned a place in the rotation. As a freshman in 2013–14, he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and earned the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award, signaling his readiness for a major conference stage.
Across his next three seasons, he grew into a leading scorer and a vocal presence in the locker room. He collected two Third-Team All-Big Ten selections in 2015 and 2017 and was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2016 after leading Wisconsin in scoring, assists, and free-throw attempts. As a senior, he was named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and graduated in May 2017 with a degree in business finance and investment banking.
Nigel Hayes-Davis Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Hayes-Davis joined the New York Knicks for the 2017 NBA Summer League and signed a partially guaranteed deal on August 19, 2017. He was waived by New York on October 14 and spent the bulk of the season with the Westchester Knicks, the team’s NBA G League affiliate, earning NBA G League All-Rookie Team honors in 2018.
On January 19, 2018, Hayes signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and made his NBA debut two days later in a 127–107 win over the New York Knicks. He later joined the Toronto Raptors on a 10-day deal on March 6, 2018, and finished the season with the Sacramento Kings after they signed him on March 31, 2018. He was waived by the Kings on July 7, 2018.
Galatasaray Era (2018–2019)
On August 29, 2018, Hayes signed with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi. He averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in domestic play, while posting 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the EuroCup.
The Turkish stop introduced him to the rhythm of European basketball and helped sharpen his all-around game. After one season, he was ready for a step up to the continent’s top club competition.
Žalgiris Kaunas Breakthrough (2019–2021)
On June 12, 2019, Hayes signed with Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League, reuniting with former Wisconsin assistant coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius. He re-signed with the club on July 17, 2020, and won back-to-back Lithuanian League championships and Lithuanian Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.
His first EuroLeague campaign produced 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game across 28 appearances. He elevated his production in his second season to 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, becoming a reliable starter and a fan favorite in Kaunas.
FC Barcelona Season (2021–2022)
On August 22, 2021, Hayes joined FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB, reuniting again with Jasikevičius. He recorded 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 37 appearances and helped the club reach the 2022 EuroLeague Final Four. He also won the 2022 Spanish Cup with Barcelona.
The single season in Spain broadened his tactical understanding and exposed him to a deeper playoff environment. It positioned him for the most decorated stretch of his career.
Fenerbahçe Era (2022–2025)
On July 22, 2022, Hayes-Davis signed a one-year deal with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe, renewing on April 7, 2023 for a longer commitment. In December 2023, Jasikevičius was announced as Fenerbahçe head coach, reuniting the pair for a third time.
On March 29, 2024, Hayes-Davis broke the EuroLeague single-game scoring record with 50 points in a 103–68 win over Alba Berlin, surpassing the previous mark of 49 set by Shane Larkin in 2019. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2024 and 2025 and earned a spot on the All-Turkish League Second Team in 2023. He won Turkish League championships in 2024 and 2025, with Turkish League Finals MVP honors in 2024, and Turkish Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, with Turkish Cup Final MVP honors in 2025.
On May 25, 2025, he led Fenerbahçe to their second EuroLeague championship in Abu Dhabi, defeating defending champions Panathinaikos in the semi-final and Monaco in the final. He posted game-highs of 23 points and 9 rebounds in the final and was named EuroLeague Final Four MVP, the second Fenerbahçe player to win the award after Ekpe Udoh in 2017.
Phoenix Suns Era (2025–Present)
On July 25, 2025, Hayes-Davis signed with the Phoenix Suns on a one-year contract, returning to the NBA after seven seasons abroad. The move followed his invitation to the 2024 USA Olympic camp alongside stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, a sign of his standing within the American player pool.
His arrival in Phoenix paired a championship-tested scorer with a roster aiming to compete in the Western Conference. Early indications suggested a rotation role built around his three-point shooting and playmaking on the wing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hayes-Davis is known for his physical perimeter scoring, footwork on the block, and ability to stretch defenses with three-point range. His craft as a passer and his willingness to absorb contact have made him a reliable late-clock option, while his rebounding from the forward spots adds a second-chance dimension. A long-standing partnership with Šarūnas Jasikevičius has emphasized motion offense and disciplined two-way play.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 50-point outburst against Alba Berlin in March 2024 stands as the defining individual milestone of his career. The 2025 EuroLeague title and Final Four MVP award in Abu Dhabi marked his highest team honor, completing a rare European Triple Crown with Fenerbahçe.
Nigel Hayes-Davis Career Wins
Across stops in the NBA G League, Lithuania, Spain, and Turkey, Hayes-Davis has compiled a deep trophy case, highlighted by one EuroLeague championship, two Lithuanian League titles, two Turkish League championships, a Spanish Cup, and multiple national cup crowns in Lithuania and Turkey.
EuroLeague Highlights
Hayes-Davis is a one-time EuroLeague champion (2025) and a two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection (2024, 2025). He also won EuroLeague Final Four MVP in 2025 after posting 23 points and 9 rebounds in the championship game against Monaco.
Domestic and Cup Wins
His domestic résumé includes two Lithuanian League championships (2020, 2021), two Lithuanian Cup wins (2020, 2021), a 2022 Spanish Cup, two Turkish League titles (2024, 2025), and two Turkish Cup titles (2024, 2025), with Finals MVP honors in both competitions. He also earned Turkish League Finals MVP in 2024 and Turkish Cup Final MVP in 2025.
Nigel Hayes-Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
In 2021, Hayes changed his surname to Hayes-Davis in honor of his stepfather, formalizing the family connection through his professional identity.
Personal Life
Hayes-Davis is widely recognized in the basketball community for his cat, Sly, whom he has described as his gray shadow. He graduated from Wisconsin in 2017 with a degree in business finance and investment banking.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season represented the peak of Hayes-Davis’s European career. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists with a PIR of 18.3 across 39 EuroLeague regular-season games, including a 33-point, 30 PIR outing against Real Madrid on December 7, 2024, that earned Round 14 MVP honors. In the playoffs against Paris Basketball, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists to help Fenerbahçe reach the Final Four.
Capping the season, he led Fenerbahçe to the 2025 EuroLeague title in Abu Dhabi with a 23-point, 9-rebound performance in the final against Monaco and was named Final Four MVP. On July 25, 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, opening a new chapter back in the NBA as the 2025–26 season approached.