Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans Jaxson Hayes, Josh Hart Open Up On LightHarted Podcast

By Cooper Walner

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Jaxson Hayes poses for a portrait at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Jaxson Hayes poses for a portrait at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jaxson Hayes was the most recent guest on Josh Hart’s LightHarted Podcast and it gave fans a chance to get to know one of the newest members of the team.

The New Orleans Pelicans have arguably the most accessible players in the league, and no longer have to go wait and wade through old media channels. The players come straight to fans with their podcasts.

Jaxson Hayes joined the LightHarted Podcast with Josh Hart. He began by speaking on his upbringing and basketball career. Born in Oklahoma, Hayes was primarily focused on football throughout his childhood. His father was a football coach at the University of Oklahoma, and later a coach on the Cincinnati Bengals staff. Hayes said he played receiver on his high school team, but by his junior year, he was too tall.

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If you follow the Pelicans, you probably know Hayes’ basketball story, but if not here’s an abbreviated version. Basketball was always second behind football for Hayes, and he didn’t make the varsity team until his junior year. Even then he rarely played. However, by his senior year, Hayes was a starter and was being recruited by Texas, and even Kentucky.

Hayes ultimately felt Texas was right for him, and he excelled in his freshman season. His talent was obvious. After just one college season, Hayes declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. Longhorn fans can take the short trip to San Antonio a couple of times per season to watch Hayes further hoops development.

Hart and Hayes moved on to talk about their teammates and their expectations for their first season with the Pelicans. Hart noted that Hayes was in a perfect system for his style of play since Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball are such great passers who can run the floor with him. Jaxson also said he was definitely excited to play with Zion.

The episode with Jaxson Hayes was the first one where Hart was able to speak with a current teammate. Furthermore, since Hayes just got into the league, it gave Hart a chance to get to know him better.

It was clear how conversations like this one, on and off camera, could benefit the team a lot. As a fan of the team, it’s really cool to be able to see how the players interact off the court. They were able to talk basketball, but also to relate in other ways. Hart was also able to give Hayes valuable advice he learned as a rookie, like to never join in on card games on the plane because the players who make more money will always bet you out of yours.

Next. Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker Developmental Goals. dark

Overall, it was a highly insightful and interesting episode of the podcast and Josh Hart still proves to be a great spokesperson for the NBA experience.

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