Trending Topics: Gordon Hayward Bio, Pictures and Video

Gordon Daniel Hayward (born March 23, 1990), the fourth "Gordon" in his family, is an American basketball player who plays for the Utah Jazz. He left Butler for the NBA after emerging as a superstar in his sophomore (second) year, leading his team to a runner-up finish in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Leaving for the NBA
When Hayward first emerged as a star at the World U-19s, and agents started leaving messages with his parents, they expressed both surprise and concern. Gordon Scott felt unprepared for the process of counseling his son through the draft process, while Jody felt that their son was not yet spiritually ready to handle the temptations of the NBA and was not convinced that he was good enough to play in the league. Eventually, his parents decided that Gordon Scott would learn about the draft and Jody would "put it in the Lord's hands and pray about it." While Gordon Scott talked with agents and other players who had left early, Butler coach Brad Stevens talked with NBA scouts and general managers; both eventually came to the conclusion that Gordon Daniel was projected as a top-20 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft even before Butler's NCAA tournament run. His parents had one more exchange as they left Lucas Oil Stadium after the NCAA final. Jody would say, "If God wanted him to go to the NBA, he would have hit the shot," but Gordon Scott would respond, "What else is he going to do, get Butler all the way back to the final and hit the shot?"

On April 14, 2010, Hayward's father confirmed to the Indianapolis Star that his son would submit his name for consideration in the 2010 draft, but he would not immediately hire an agent. While the younger Hayward was dividing his time between his final examinations and physical preparation, his father created a highly detailed two-page questionnaire that he gave to prospective agents. Mark Bartelstein, who survived Gordon Scott's grilling and became Gordon Daniel's agent, would later say, "It was the most incredibly thorough process I've been through in 25 years. His parents didn't want to leave any stone unturned."

Hayward had until May 8 to withdraw from the draft and retain his college eligibility. However, on the day before the withdrawal deadline, he announced that he would stay in the draft and give up his remaining college eligibility. At the time he announced for the draft, he was widely expected to be selected in the top 20 picks, and that assessment did not change before the deadline. When announcing that he was leaving for the NBA, Hayward said that he planned to eventually complete his degree. On June 24, 2010, Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Utah Jazz.

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