Yahoo Sports Killian Hayes: 'You can't take everything off the Internet'
Killian Hayes came into the league full of promise. Drafted 7th in the shortened COVID season, Hayes was brought to Detroit to be their franchise floor general. However, after several underwhelming years, he was released back in February.
Hayes is currently with the Long Island Nets hoping to show he can still play at the NBA level, and latch on with a team soon. Following a recent practice at the G-League Showcase in Orlando, the southpaw spoke with HoopsHype about his improved shooting mechanics, what he can bring to potential teams, the online discourse against him, and more.
What are you looking to prove out at the Showcase?
Killian Hayes: Definitely my personality. Being able to play both sides of the floor, especially defensively and just doing what I do. Just playing confident and being aggressive.
What do you think you can bring to the table to any team?
KH: Definitely aggressively on both sides of the floor. Offensively, my playmaking ability and getting into the lane, and defensively just picking up full court, and just being aggressive on their best player.
In your ideal situation, do you want to go to any team or play on a contender?
KH: Any team to be honest. I just wanna be out there. I wanna be able to show that I can prove myself and play hard for any team.
What part of your game have you improved these past couple months?
KH: Shooting. I’d say it’s up and down, up and down, but I feel like I’m becoming very comfortable with my shot, especially catch and shoot.
In terms of your shooting mechanics, have you altered anything in particular?
KH: I’d say definitely get more lift on it. I think most of my misses were short and that comes with footwork. I feel like this summer I was working on my footwork a lot with Adam Harrington, and just getting the ball up. That was my biggest thing.
Who has really been your support group with trying to get you back into the league?
KH: I mean same people that have always been there for me. My pops, my cousin, my close friends. Like the people that have been there from the beginning.
Do you pay attention to any of the online discourse in your playstyle or anything like that?
KH: No, I feel like that’s something that can really cloud your vision. It’s not people that really know what’s really going on. I feel like you got to stay focused on your team and focus on the people that really are around you.
From a young age, have you always sort of stayed away from social media or did that take time to get away from that kind of stuff?
KH: I mean obviously I’m on Instagram, I’m on Twitter, like you come across things but how you process it. How you don’t take things to heart too much, but there’s constructive criticism out there with the people that know you that are around. You can’t take everything off the Internet.
Have there been any teams that reached out to you?
KH: I mean yeah. I’m just focused on the Showcase. We got one more game on Sunday. Try to lock in and get a good one.
Have you thought about going back to France or overseas or are you just thinking of the now right now?
KH: Yeah, kind of like you said, thinking of the now. Thinking of where I am right now which is we have a game on Sunday, which is a big game, last game of the Showcase, so that’s kind of where my head is at right now.
You played for Monty Williams and Dwyane Casey. What were they like as coaches?
KH: Very tactical, especially for Monty. I feel like his offensive arsenal was really deep coming in. Just being able to watch that and just seeing how deep his bag is offensively for sure. And Coach Casey, because I started with and just had a great relationship with Coach Casey.
Has there been any overseas clubs that reached out to you in the past year or so?
KH: There have been offers, the Euroleague, Eurocup, but like I said I’m here today and I have a game on Sunday, that’s what I’m focused on.
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Killian Hayes: 'You can't take everything off the Internet'
