Courtesy of VYPE High School Sports Magazine (Central Indiana)
'In 49 states it's just basketball. But this is Indiana.'
It's a phrase used often in the Hoosier state and one that Butler University sophomore standout Gordon Hayward has lived by from an early age.
Hayward, who made a game-winning shot as time expired to give Brownsburg an Indiana High School Athletic Association 4A state championship in 2008, is projected to be the next addition to a rapidly growing list of Indianapolis-area players who have moved on to enjoy careers in the National Basketball Association.
MyNBADraft.com, HoopsHype.com, DraftExpress.com and several other web sites project Hayward as a late first-round draft pick in 2010. Several other industry sources have lauded his potential and noted how well his skill set should translate into success at the next level.
The Horizon League's 2010 Player of the Year has quickly become one of the top 19-year-olds in the nation. In 2008-09, Hayward helped guide the Bulldogs to a 26-6 record and NCAA Tournament appearance. This year, he was an integral part of a Butler team that set a school record for consecutive victories and became the first squad in league history to go 18-0 in conference action.
While Hayward continues to raise eyebrows at collegiate facilities around the Midwest, eight Indianapolis-area standouts continue to hold their own in the world's top professional basketball league. Local products Greg Oden (Lawrence North), Mike Conley (Lawrence North), Courtney Lee (Pike), Jeff Teague (Pike), Rodney Carney (Northwest), Josh McRoberts (Carmel), Eric Gordon (North Central) and George Hill (Broad Ripple) have all joined the NBA since 2006.
Hayward, who was born at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, is looking to become No. 9.
He played several sports as a youngster but focused his attention on basketball and tennis by the time he reached high school. It was natural, though, that basketball quickly became his first love. It had always been his father's passion.
Hayward played three varsity seasons at Brownsburg, but it was his senior season -- one that went from rollercoaster ride to euphoria in a matter of months -- that made him a star. In a year that began with three losses in its first five games, the Bulldogs eventually reeled off seven consecutive victories in the state tournament to give Brownsburg its only boys basketball state title in school history.
Six of those wins came against former state champions and the ending couldn't have been any more climatic. Hayward dropped in a twisting runner from point-blank range as the clock expired to send the unranked Bulldogs to a 40-39 win over eighth-ranked Marion at Conseco Fieldhouse in March 2008. Hayward got the shot off after alertly picking up a loose ball with less than two seconds remaining.
"It was a storybook ending," Hayward recalls. "The ball was right there, I picked it up and my shot went in."
The story continues to get better. Though Hayward entered college somewhat under the radar, he drew widespread attention with a string of strong performances during Butler's grueling non-conference schedule earlier this season. In the team's three-game stretch against #15/13 Georgetown, #13/15 Ohio State and Xavier, the 6-foot-9, 207-pound guard/forward scored a combined 70 points.
"At that point, I think it became very clear that Gordon is one of the best college basketball players in the country," Butler Head Coach Brad Stevens says. "He helped us win two of those games and gave us a chance to win the other. I think those efforts solidified him as one of the better players around."
While the Butler program means everything to Hayward, basketball took on an entirely new meaning this past summer. Hayward and fellow Butler sophomore Shelvin Mack helped the United States capture a gold medal in the FIBA U19 World Championship. It was the country's first crown in that event since 1991.
"Shelvin and I were honored to represent Butler University," Hayward says. "It was amazing to have United States across my chest and know that I was also representing our great country. I still remember when we won the gold medal, they raised the U.S. flag and I had my hand over my heart. It was a one-of-a-kind feeling."
Hayward will continue to take things one day at a time. Like all Butler players, team success is a much higher priority than individual accomplishments or accolades.
That being said, it's the individual ability that will give Hayward an opportunity to play professionally.
"I can get better in every aspect of my game, and that's what I focus on each day," Hayward admits. "I need to continue to work hard on my strength and conditioning. Everyone at the next level is bigger, stronger and faster. I also want to improve all-around consistency, which includes my jump shot and mid-range game."
Stevens' first recruiting visit after being tapped as the Bulldogs' leader in the spring of 2007 was to see Hayward. And the third-year mentor has watched the teenager bud ever since. Selfishly, Stevens hopes to have Hayward's services for four years. But, he's also realistic about the situation.
"Gordon is going to play at the next level," Stevens says. "There's no question in my mind. He's going to have those professional opportunities early, and those are decisions he'll have to make.
"Physically, he's one of the more talented guys we've had in recent years at Butler. He's a top tier player at any level of college basketball. Gordon's savvy is at a very high level and he's an easy guy to coach."
Hayward will meet the professional challenge head on at some point down the road. For now, though, he's more concerned about leaving a legacy at the collegiate level.
"I want to be remembered as someone who played basketball the right way," Hayward says. "Butler players want to be thought of for always doing the right thing. That's what the `Butler Way' is all about. We want to be remembered as people who compete, play hard and do whatever is necessary to get the job done."
Tags: Butler - Men's Basketball
