Gordon Hayward: College Career, Stats, and Achievements

Gordon Daniel Hayward, born on March 23, 1990, is an American former professional basketball player whose college career at Butler University laid the foundation for his successful NBA journey. Hayward is now giving back to the game by teaching the art of shooting. “The biggest thing I’ve been working on lately is FORM,” said Hayward, who retired in 2024. “It’s starting to pick up a lot of steam on social media and stuff. I really believe it’s a great tool to help kids learn the foundation of shooting, proper shooting fundamentals. Stuff like keeping your elbow aligned, your hand underneath and in the center of the ball.

Early Life and High School Career

Hayward's basketball journey began at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana. A significant growth spurt during his high school years saw him grow from 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) as a freshman to 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) as a senior. As a senior in 2007-08, Hayward averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He and teammate Julian Mavunga led Brownsburg to the Indiana Class 4A state championship. In the title game, Hayward made the game-winning basket at the buzzer to defeat Marion High School 40-39. His outstanding performance earned him Second-team all-state honors from the Associated Press (AP) and First-team all-state recognition from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Hayward was also selected Indianapolis Star Player of the Year and received the IHSAA Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award.

College Career at Butler University (2008-2010)

Freshman Season (2008-2009)

Hayward joined the Butler Bulldogs in 2008-09, making an immediate impact as a freshman. He averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. His stellar performance led to him being named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, and he was selected to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team and the All-Horizon League First Team. The Bulldogs won the Horizon League regular season title that year.

Sophomore Season (2009-2010)

In 2009-10, Hayward continued to excel, earning nominations for various preseason All-America teams and Player of the Year awards. He averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. The Butler Bulldogs won both the Horizon League regular season title and the 2010 Horizon League men's basketball tournament. Hayward was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and selected to the All-Horizon League First Team.

NCAA Tournament Run

Hayward's college career reached its peak during the 2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. He led the Butler Bulldogs to the championship game. Although Butler lost to Duke in the final, Hayward's performance throughout the tournament solidified his status as a top NBA prospect.

Academic Achievements

At Butler, Hayward started in a dual degree program for computer engineering and physics, demonstrating his commitment to academics alongside his basketball career. Junior Matt Howard, a finance major with a 3.77 GPA, and sophomore Gordon Hayward, a computer engineering major with a 3.31 GPA, have led the 12th-ranked Bulldogs to a 28-4 record and the Horizon League championship.

NBA Draft and Early Career

After the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament, Hayward confirmed that he would submit his name for consideration in the 2010 NBA draft. In May 2010, Hayward announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft. He was subsequently selected by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft.

2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship

Hayward was selected as a member of the United States team for the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. Hayward averaged 10 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as Team USA won the championship.

NBA Career

Utah Jazz (2010-2017)

As a rookie in 2010-11, Hayward came off the bench. On an episode of Paul George's podcast Podcast P, Hayward recalled not being entrusted with minutes on account of long-time veteran coach Jerry Sloan preferring more experienced players. Sloan's resignation following an argument during a February game coincided with star point guard Deron Williams being traded, which surprised Hayward. He benefitted by receiving more playing time under interim hire Ty Corbin. On April 5, 2011, Hayward had a noticeable performance in an 86-85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Hayward ended the season with a 34-point game, a career high at the time, in a 107-103 win over the Denver Nuggets on April 13. As a sophomore in 2011-12, Hayward established himself in the starting lineup, and was selected to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge game. Hayward played for Team Chuck and recorded 14 points as his team won the game. Hayward made his NBA playoffs debut against the San Antonio Spurs as the Jazz lost 4-0 in the first round. After the departure of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson during the 2013 offseason, Hayward emerged as the Jazz's new offensive threat, averaging career highs per game in points, rebounds, assists and steals. On January 7, 2014, Hayward scored career-high 37 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the 2013-14 season, Hayward became a restricted free agent. In 2014-15, Hayward averaged a career high in points per game. On November 14, 2014, Hayward scored a season-high 33 points in 102-100 win over the New York Knicks. In 2015-16, he again averaged a career high in points per game. On October 7, 2016, Hayward suffered a fracture of the fourth finger on his left hand. He made his season debut on November 6, scoring 28 points in a 114-109 win over the New York Knicks. Hayward averaged a career high in points per game, improving his points per game for a sixth straight season. On April 21, 2017, in Game 3 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in a 111-106 loss. Hayward's 21 first-quarter points in Game 3 was a franchise playoff record for any one quarter. In Game 7 of the series on April 30, he scored 26 points as the Jazz eliminated the Clippers with a 104-91 victory, closing out the first-round series 4-3 to earn the franchise's first postseason victory since 2010. The Jazz went on to lose in the second round to the Golden State Warriors in 4 games. Hayward played seven seasons with the Jazz, and was selected to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

Boston Celtics (2017-2020)

In the 2017 offseason, Hayward signed as a free agent with the Celtics, but was ruled out for the remainder of the 2017-18 season after suffering a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle only five minutes into the season opener. On October 16, 2018, Hayward played in his first regular season game since the ankle injury.

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Charlotte Hornets (2020-Present)

On December 5, 2021, Hayward scored a season-high 41 points, alongside five rebounds and three assists, in a 131-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs. On February 7, 2022, Hayward suffered an ankle injury in a 101-116 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Personal Life

Hayward is the son of Jody and Gordon Scott Hayward. In 2014, Hayward married Robyn Van Vliet. They have four children: three daughters (born in 2015, 2016, and 2019) and a son born in 2020. In 2018, Hayward signed an endorsement deal with Chinese sports footwear and apparel company Anta. Hayward is a fan of chess. He started playing against his mother when he was young, and he returned to playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Hayward's production company, Whiskey Creek Productions, released its first feature film, Notice to Quit, a drama starring Michael Zegen. Hayward is listed as one of the executive producers of the film alongside Simon Hacker. He spent time in the Skywalker Ranch for the movie's post-production.

College Stats and Awards Summary

Gordon Hayward's college career at Butler University was marked by significant achievements and accolades. His leadership and performance on the court led the Bulldogs to multiple Horizon League titles and a memorable run to the NCAA championship game.

Stats

Freshman (2008-2009): 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game
Sophomore (2009-2010): 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game

Awards and Honors

Horizon League Newcomer of the Year (2009)
Horizon League All-Newcomer Team (2009)
All-Horizon League First Team (2009, 2010)
Horizon League Player of the Year (2010)
Led Butler Bulldogs to the NCAA Championship Game (2010)

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