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Knicks take chance on rookie who once hated New York

The only thing Knicks care about now with Wisconsin senior power forward Nigel Hayes is he’s “big and dirty” under the boards.

An NBA source confirmed Hayes has signed with the Knicks’ summer-league team after going undrafted. Hayes will get a partial guarantee for training camp. He’s 6-foot-8 power forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and scouts say he has a good mid-range game, post moves and is a tough rebounder.

But about those streets of New York. When Hayes, who has an engaging personality, was in New York in March for the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament, the product of Toledo, Ohio, created a stir at the Garden when he opined about the city’s cleanliness.