One reason why there’s so much excitement about the future in New Orleans? During the 2019-20 season, the Pelicans have had the fourth- and eighth-youngest players in the entire league on their roster, both lottery picks from the 2019 NBA Draft. Picked No. 8 overall in last year’s lottery, Jaxson Hayes, 19, was born May 23, 2000, making him roughly seven weeks older than teammate and No. 1 selection Zion Williamson. The only high draft picks from ’19 younger than Hayes are Williamson, Detroit forward Sekou Doumbouya and New York guard R.J. Barrett. Despite not focusing primarily on basketball until late in high school, the high-flying Hayes emerged as a coveted NBA prospect and has appeared in 56 games for the Pelicans, starting 12 times in ’19-20.
Off the Court: Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes
