Badger star forward Nigel Hayes, who led the Badgers to four straight Sweet Sixteens in the NCAA tournament, is on a plane to California this afternoon, on his way to begin preparation for the NBA draft later this month. His accomplishments on the court will certainly be remembered for many years.
This morning, though, he was doing the other thing he’ll be remembered for — giving back to the community.
Hayes spent the morning at St. James School, delivering Badgers gear to some middle school students who need a little help with clothing.
“I was excited about coming to visit students at St. James this morning and seeing all the kids’ faces was great see before leaving the city,” Hayes said in a message to Madison365. “It’s been a great four years in Madison and I am grateful to have been a student athlete and been in the position to serve the community.”
The visit began with a birthday, when one St James seventh grade girl wanted to meet Hayes at the Boys and Girls Club last week but couldn’t make it.
“My son came to me and asked if Nigel could make a video,” said BGC CEO Michael Johnson. Hayes decided to do one better and surprise the girl with a visit to her school on her birthday today, and then went even beyond that.
“Nigel texted me this morning and said he has a bunch of clothes and Badger gear that he hadn’t worn or maybe worn once and he’d be happy to give it away,” Johnson said. Johnson put that together with some Badger gear donated by local company Strategic Brand Marketing and together he and Hayes made a delivery to the school.
“One of the young men we gave clothes to migrated from the Phillipines. His father is disabled, so we gave him a book bag full of clothes,” Johnson said. “We told the principal to identify some other students in need to give the rest to.”
Hayes has been deeply involved as a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County, often offering families and young people inspiration and hope as well as more tangible things.
Johnson said Hayes will be sorely missed.
“I gotta tell you man, I teared up a little bit today,” Johnson said. “I haven’t known Nigel that long but he’s a special kid. Watching him get in that car and drive off, I got a little emotional. He reminds me of a little brother I never had. He genuinely has a care for kids in this community. For him to spend his last day serving other people tells you how special he is.”
Johnson also thinks whatever team drafts him will not only get a great player but a great addition to their community.
“My advice to him was to sure he focused on basketball that first year, make sure he makes that transition to the NBA real well and then when he looks to get involved in that community to keep true to those roots,” Johnson said. “And whatever community he lives in to look out for the seniors and the kids who are most vulnerable.”
Many prognosticators have Hayes as a second-round pick in the NBA draft, scheduled for June 22.
