Sophomore center Kevarrius Hayes is instant energy for the Gators off the bench.
High-Energy Hayes Will Be Ready When Called On
Saturday, December 17, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
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Sophomore backup center Kevarrius Hayes has the kind of attitude (and motor) coaches dream about.
By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida basketball rotation basically goes nine players deep and the starting unit has remained the same through the first 10 games. Of the four top reserves, swingman Canyon Barry averages nearly 23 minutes off the bench and guard Chris Chiozza is just over 19. That makes them pretty much de facto starters. Redshirt freshman Keith Stone's role has increased with each game as his comfort level increases. He's played at least 12 minutes in each of the past four outings.
And then there's Kevarrius Hayes, the 6-foot-9 sophomore center whose 132 minutes rank eighth among all Gators. Hayes, who seemingly blossomed late last season when circumstances moved him into first unit, is averaging a modest 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, but shooting 50 percent from the floor and is second on the team with 15 blocked shots.
Makes you wonder what he could be doing at, say, 26 minutes per game, instead of 13.
Only Hayes (aka "Spidey") doesn't wonder why he's not playing more. Or worry about it.
"It's about worrying about the right things," Hayes said. "It's not about how much I play. It's about, 'Are we going to win? What can I do to help us win?' Whether I'm supporting my team on the bench or playing in the game, I'm going to do what's needed."
He wasn't through.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Hayes said about the chance to play college basketball at Florida. "I'm very honored to be here. Not a lot of people get to do this and I don't want to take it for granted. So I come out and work hard every day. I don't know why [anybody] wouldn't want to do that."
Obviously, such words — especially from someone as likable and sincere as Hayes — are rare. The attitude and perspective are not lost on UF coach Mike White and his staff. They know what they have in Hayes and know they can count on him when center John Egbunu needs a breather, is in foul trouble or is restricted by a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the week.
"I know exactly what I'm going to get from Kevarrius Hayes," White said. "He's a pleasure to coach."
Kevarrius Hayes swats a Seton Hall in UF's win over the Pirates in Orlando last month.
Hayes has yet to play more 17 minutes in a game this season, but his chance could come Saturday when the Gators (7-3) try to break a two-game losing streak against North Carolina-Charlotte (6-3) in the Orange Bowl Classic at BB&T Center. The 49ers are not a big team, with their tallest starter all of 6-7, so UF may send different combinations of their five front court players who go at least 6-8, not to mention heavy doses of Barry, who at 6-6 ranks third on the team in rebounding (3.7 per game).
It's worth noting, though, that UF has struggled to score in the low post through the first 10 games. It's also worth noting that the Gators' three losses came against teams — Gonzaga, Duke and Florida State — currently ranked in the Top 25 (two of them in the top eight) and facing heavy size mismatches up front.
A date against Charlotte will be a chance to get guys some post touches, with an emphasis on making some hay down low.
"We've just got to continue to emphasize getting better position," White said. "We've got to be a better post-passing team."
And whether it's Egbunu or Hayes or Stone flashing in the paint — or even little-used Gorjok Gak or Schuyler Rimmer — the Gators need to be a better post-receiving team, also. That term can constitute a number of things, be it back-to-the-basket catches, feeds off pick-and-rolls or recognizing opportunities for lobs at the rim.
It's about knowing your role. At just 13.2 minutes per game, Hayes hasn't gotten a ton of chances to apply his craft in games, but when the time comes he will be prepared because, well, of how he prepares.
Even when he's not playing.
"I stay tuned into the game. Even on the bench, I'm always locked in. What is the team doing? What can I do to help out?" Hayes said. "For me, I don't find it hard at all [to stay engaged from the sideline]. Even when I'm not in the game, I'm involved. I know at some point I will be in. I better be engaged. Better be ready."
And he will be.
Rewind to last March. Egbunu's season ended one game in the NIT when he underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumb suffered during practice. Enter Hayes into the starting lineup. In two games (at Ohio State and George Washington) he hit 11 of 12 field-goal attempts, averaged 14.1 points and knocked down all six of his free throws to go with 4.5 rebounds per game.
"My job didn't change," Hayes aid. "I just played more minutes."
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