Pistons select Killian Hayes with No. 7 pick
With the No. 7 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected French-American point guard Killian Hayes.
Playing for German side Ratiopharm Ulm in 2019-20, Hayes averaged 11.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals in 33 games across all competition levels. He shot 48.2% from the floor overall but just 29.4% on 3-point attempts. However, 87.6% shooting from the foul line hints at the possibility of the point man developing into a dependable deep threat.
It's important to recognize that the talent level of the Basketball Bundesliga isn't tops among Europe's domestic leagues - which is to say that Hayes' stats can't be compared to teenaged Luka Doncic, who was named Euroleague MVP in 2018 before coming stateside.
Still, what Hayes accomplished at 18 (he only turned 19 in July) is notable - particularly the 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game he put up in Eurocup play, where the competition is a cut above the BBL.
Bio
Position: PG
Club: Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 215 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-8
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- A creative passer with strong court vision on offense
- Uses step-backs and pull-ups to create separation on drives
- Possesses great size for a lead guard
- Solid man-to-man defense; potential to guard smaller wings
Weaknesses
- Below average first-step athleticism
- Perimeter shooting is still a work in progress
- At times a little too left-hand dominant; needs to work on his right