Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens on the court sideline before the start of the first round against the Boston Celtics for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images David Butler II-Imagn Images

Boston Celtics Reportedly Interested In Former NBA Player

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Nigel Hayes-Davis was once among the best college basketball players in the country at Wisconsin.

After a brief stint in the NBA, Hayes-Davis has spent the last seven seasons playing overseas.

According to Eurohoops (h/t NBC Sports Boston ), Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla recently went to watch Hayes-Davis.

Via Celtics on NBC Sports Boston: "Joe Mazzulla reportedly was in Turkey to scout Nigel Hayes-Davis "

Joe Mazzulla reportedly was in Turkey to scout Nigel Hayes-Davis @ChrisForsberg_ details the Celtics' near-decade of interest in the EuroLeague star https://t.co/KDy3sj7jSY pic.twitter.com/9ZZwxeKg4k
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 10, 2025

Hayes-Davis has played nine NBA games for the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

In those games, the 30-year-old averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 33.3% from the field and 25.0% from the three-point range.

Via Keith Smith of Spotrac: "The Celtics scouting Nigel Hayes-Davis makes sense. They've had interest in him before. He's coming off a string of strong seasons with Fenerbahce in Turkey and EuroLeague. Hayes-Davis has also become a good shooter too. Could be a cost-effective depth option for Boston next season."

The Celtics scouting Nigel Hayes-Davis makes sense. They've had interest in him before. He's coming off a string of strong seasons with Fenerbahce in Turkey and EuroLeague. Hayes-Davis has also become a good shooter too. Could be a cost-effective depth option for Boston next…
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 10, 2025

While the Celtics already have an elite roster, players such as Hayes-Davis could add important depth to their bench.

Via Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: "Nigel Hayes Davis' journey from being underestimated in highschool and college, not getting drafted, to being EuroLeague champion and F4 MVP is truly an inspiring one ️"

Nigel Hayes Davis' journey from being underestimated in highschool and college, not getting drafted, to being EuroLeague champion and F4 MVP is truly an inspiring one ️#F4GLORY pic.twitter.com/ieWQ0O2Dae
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 25, 2025

The Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship over the Dallas Mavericks.

Despite finishing as the second seed in the Eastern Conference (this past season), they lost to the New York Knicks in the second round (in six games).

Via Bobby Manning (of Celtics on CLNS): "Nigel Hayes was one of my favorite college players ever. C's assistant Ross McMains also coached him on the Westchester Knicks alongside Kornet in 2017-18."

Nigel Hayes was one of my favorite college players ever. C's assistant Ross McMains also coached him on the Westchester Knicks alongside Kornet in 2017-18. https://t.co/OxMz6N9izq
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 9, 2025

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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