Florida Gators

Overview

• Finished his career as Florida’s No. 2 all-time shot-blocker with 214.
• The first Gator to block 60 shots in a season three times, surpassing Dwayne Schintzius, Joakim Noah and Al Horford, who all did so twice.
• Lauded by Coach Mike White for his consistent attitude, effort and motor.
• A starter on three NCAA Tournament teams, all of which won at least one game in March Madness, including the 2017 Elite Eight run.
• Played in 140 games throughout his career, 11th-most appearances in Florida history.
• Became a regular starter as a sophomore following John Egbunu’s injury and maintained that position throughout the remainder of his career.
• Part of the final recruiting class signed by Billy Donovan, but never wavered from his desire to be a Gator through the coaching transition, showing up to his first meeting with Mike White in a suit and tie.

Honors

• 2018, 2019 SEC Community Service Team

2018-19, Senior Season

• Had his personal best scoring stretch to close his career, averaging 11.2 points per game over the final 12 games of the season to help push the Gators to their third straight NCAA Tournament and fourth consecutive 20-win season.
• Ranked fourth in the SEC with 2.8 offensive rebounds per game and sixth with 1.9 blocked shots per game.
• Averaged career-bests 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and matched his career high with 67 blocked shots.
• His .673 field goal percentage ranks No. 4 on Florida’s single-season charts.
• Had a monster performance at Kentucky, scoring 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting and helping the Gators to a +10 scoring advantage in the paint (32-22).
• Earned his first career double-double in the SEC Tournament semifinal vs. Auburn with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
• Added another 16-point outing in the NCAA Tournament win vs. Nevada, shooting 5-for-6 from the floor and 6-for-8 from the free throw line.
• Posted double-figure scoring performances in road wins at LSU and Vanderbilt.

2017-18, Junior Season

• Member of the SEC Community Service Team for his efforts in the Gainesville community through the Gator Goodwill program.
• Ranked fourth in the SEC with 2.0 blocks per game and had 12 games with at least three blocked shots.
• His 67 blocked shots ranked seventh on Florida’s single-season rankings.
• Scored 10 points in the Gators’ comeback road win at Missouri.
• Turned in nine blocked shots over the first two SEC games to climb into UF’s all-time top 10 in the category.

2016-17, Sophomore Season

• Averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 36 appearances with 16 starts.
• Had a career day in the win at Oklahoma, posting 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots in just 23 minutes.
• Blocked 60 shots, then the seventh-ranked single-season total in Florida history. He joins Dwayne Schintzius, Joakim Noah and Al Horford as the only Gators to swat 60 shots in a season.
• Had 10 games with at least three blocked shots, including a career-best five in the season opener vs. FGCU.
• The Gators’ field goal percentage leader, connecting on 77 of 127 tries, a .606 clip.
• After tag-teaming the post position with John Egbunu for most of the season, Hayes took on the bulk of the burden when Egbunu suffered a season-ending knee injury and helped keep the Gators’ promising season rolling all the way to the Elite Eight.
• Hayes played 25 minutes once prior to Egbunu’s injury, but reached or exceeded that mark seven times over the final 10 games with Egbunu out.

2015-16, Freshman Season

• Averaged 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 35 games, including six starts.
• Had a huge day at Ohio State, scoring 14 points on a perfect shooting performance. The game was Florida’s first since losing John Egbunu for the season, and Hayes made the most of his opportunity.
• Followed that up with another 14-point outing at George Washington. Over the course of those two games, Hayes shot 11-for-12 from the field and 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
• Made his first career start in the win vs. Oklahoma State.
• Has earned praise from head coach Mike White for his consistency and effort, which has shown up particularly on the offensive glass.
• Made his collegiate debut as the first player off the bench in the Gators’ season-opening win at Navy.
• Stuck with his commitment and NLI to the Gators despite the coaching change and has been lauded by head coach Mike White for his motor and his ability as a “mover” for a player his size.

Prep

• A four-star recruit according to ESPN and a three-star recruit on Rivals.
• Long and athletic shot-blocker and rebounder.
• Helped Suwanee to 19 wins during his senior season, averaging nearly 20 points and more than 10 rebounds per game.
• ESPN.com bottom line: “Hayes is a power forward that has tremendous upside. He is a smart player that will be an excellent college forward and become more of a factor as his offense catches up with his rebounding and defense.”

• First name is pronounced KEE-vahr-ee-us.
• Mother, Verrice Hayes, serves as an Army Captain.
• Nicknamed Special K in high school, but has picked up the nickname Spidey since coming to Florida.
• Also competed in track in high school.
• Chose to wear #13 because he aspires to be like those who wore the number before him. The last two Gators to wear 13 are Joakim Noah and Mike Miller.
• Favorite basketball player is Michael Jordan.
• Only seriously considered Florida because he could not imagine a better place to be.