AUSTIN, Texas — It's been a trend for athletic bigs in the Texas Longhorns men's basketball program to enter the NBA Draft after one season on the 40 Acres.
Mo Bamba, Jarrett Allen and Myles Turner have been the recent one-and-done bigs who left UT for the bright lights and big paychecks after their freshman season.
Jaxon Hayes will be the next UT big name.
"I've always expected highly of myself and I think that's because of how I was raised," said Hayes during his final media availability on the UT campus.
Hayes is finishing up his academic obligations this week, taking final exams and wrapping up his freshman year.
The 6-foot, 11-inch big man averaged 10 points per game and swatted 71 shots (blocks) during UT's NIT Championship season, but Hayes suffered a knee injury during the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. That injury kept him out of the National Invitation Tournament.
Hayes is projected to be selected 10th to 15th during the NBA Draft on June 20.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native didn't appear to have any fear or any second guesses about his decision to leave UT after one season.
But, Hayes did feel as if he's leaving Shaka Smart's program in a better place. He believes the Longhorns have potential to experience more success.
"Our team this year was insanely good; we just weren't all good at the same time," said Hayes. "We were kind of all inconsistent. All of the guys coming back are great players, and our recruits coming in are really good. I'm expecting really big things from them."