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Report: Former Wisconsin star turned down millions to join Phoenix Suns

Related Topics: Phoenix Suns, Nigel Hayes-Davis

After graduating following the 2016-17 season, former Wisconsin Badgers star Nigel Hayes (now Nigel Hayes-Davis) signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Knicks.

Despite playing with the G-League Westchester Knicks, Hayes-Davis appeared in nine NBA games between the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings. Upon the conclusion of the 2017-18 NBA season, Hayes-Davis embarked on a professional basketball career in Europe.

Hayes-Davis made stops with various teams in Lithuania, Spain, and Turkey, but it was with Fenerbahce in Istanbul where Hayes-Davis was most successful in professional basketball.

The former All-Big Ten forward not only earned All-Second Team Turkish League honors in 2023 but also won back-to-back Turkish Cups in 2024 and 2025, earning MVP honors in both seasons.