Gordon Hayward

Gordon Daniel Hayward (born March 23, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played two seasons of college basketball for Butler University, and was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA draft. He played seven seasons in Utah before signing with Boston in 2017. In college, Hayward led Butler to the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. In 2017, Hayward was selected an NBA All-Star for the first time.

High school career
Hayward attended Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana. He grew from 5'11" (1.80 m) in height as a freshman to 6'8" (2.03 m) as a senior. Until his growth spurt, Hayward was more successful in tennis, in which he was a two-time all-state singles player. As a senior in 2007–08, Hayward averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Hayward and teammate Julian Mavunga led Brownsburg to the Indiana Class 4A state championship. In the title game, Hayward made the game-winning basket at the buzzer to defeat Marion High School 40–39. Hayward was selected Second-team all-state by AP and First-team all-state by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Hayward was selected Indianapolis Star Player of the Year. Hayward received the IHSAA Arthur L. Trester Award in Class 4A. Hayward was selected to represent Indiana in the 2008 Indiana–Kentucky Boys All-Star Game, which Indiana won.

College career
Hayward was an unranked three-star prospect on the recruiting website Rivals.com. He accepted a scholarship offer from Butler University, coached by Brad Stevens, despite late interest from Purdue and Michigan.

As a freshman in 2008–09, Hayward averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, and selected to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team and the All-Horizon League First Team. The Butler Bulldogs won the Horizon League regular season title. In the championship game of the 2009 Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament, Butler lost to Cleveland State. Butler received an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, and lost in the First Round against the LSU Tigers.

In 2009–10, Hayward was nominated for various preseason All-America teams and Player of the Year awards. Hayward averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. The Butler Bulldogs won both the Horizon League regular season title, and the 2010 Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament. Hayward was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and selected to the All-Horizon League First Team. Hayward was also selected AP All-American Honorable Mention and ESPN Third-team Academic All-American.

Butler lost to Duke in the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. In the final seconds, Hayward attempted a game-winning, buzzer-beating, half-court shot, which hit the backboard and rim, and bounced away. The shot is considered one of the most well-known plays in NCAA tournament history. Hayward was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Utah Jazz (2010–2017)
After the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament, Hayward confirmed that he would submit his name for consideration in the 2010 NBA Draft, but did not immediately hire an agent. In May 2010, Hayward announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft. He hired Mark Bartelstein as agent. On June 24, 2010, Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Utah Jazz.

As a rookie in 2010–11, Hayward came off the bench. On April 5, 2011, Hayward had a noticeable performance in an 86–85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Hayward ended the season with a 34-point game, a career high at the time, in a 107–103 win over the Denver Nuggets on April 13. As a sophomore in 2011–12, Hayward established himself in the starting lineup, and was selected to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge game. Hayward played for Team Chuck and recorded 14 points as his team won the game. Hayward made his NBA playoffs debut against the San Antonio Spurs as the Jazz lost 4–0, in the first round. During the 2012–13 season, Hayward mainly came off the bench as a sixth man, but averaged a career high in points per game. Hayward received a third-place vote for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

After the departure of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson during the 2013 offseason, Hayward emerged as the Jazz's new offensive threat, averaging career highs per game in points, rebounds, assists and steals. On January 7, 2014, Hayward scored career-high 37 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the 2013–14 season, Hayward became a restricted free agent. On July 10, 2014, Hayward received a four-year, $63 million maximum contract offer from the Charlotte Hornets. On July 12, 2014, the Jazz matched the offer sheet, re-signing Hayward.

In 2014–15, Hayward averaged a career high in points per game. On November 14, 2014, Hayward scored a season-high 33 points in 102–100 win over the New York Knicks. In 2015–16, Hayward again averaged a career high in points per game. On January 18, 2016, Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 124–119 double overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On October 7, 2016, Hayward suffered a fracture of the fourth finger on his left hand. He made his season debut on November 6, scoring 28 points in a 114–109 win over the New York Knicks. Hayward averaged a career high in points per game, improving his points per game for a sixth straight season. On January 26, 2017, Hayward was selected to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game by the vote of Western Conference coaches. On February 9, 2017, Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 112–105 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. On March 2, 2017, Hayward scored a career-high 38 points in a 107–100 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Hayward set a new career high on April 7, 2017, scoring 39 points in a 120–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On April 21, 2017, in Game 3 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in a 111–106 loss. Hayward's 21 first-quarter points in Game 3 was a franchise playoff record for any one quarter. In Game 7 of the series on April 30, Hayward scored 26 points as the Jazz eliminated the Clippers with a 104–91 victory, closing out the first-round series 4–3 to earn the franchise's first postseason victory since 2010. The Jazz went on to lose in the second round to the Golden State Warriors in 4 games.

Boston Celtics (2017–present)
On July 4, 2017, Hayward announced via The Players' Tribune that he would sign with the Boston Celtics. On July 14, he signed with the Celtics to a reported four-year, $128 million contract. On October 17, 2017, Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg less than six minutes into the Celtics' regular-season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He landed awkwardly on the hardwood after an attempted alley-oop off a pass from Kyrie Irving, causing his leg to collapse underneath his weight. He was later ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. Hayward had made considerable progress until he needed a second surgery in March 2018.

On October 16, 2018, Hayward played in his first game since the ankle injury. He recorded 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes in a 105–87 season-opening win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Hayward mainly came off the bench during the season, recovering from the injury. On December 1, 2018, Hayward scored a season-high 30 points in a 118–109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. On January 2, 2019, Hayward set a new season-high with 35 points in a 115–102 win over the Timberwolves.

On November 5, 2019, Hayward matched his regular-season career high with 39 points in a 119–116 win over the Cavaliers. On November 9, Hayward fractured his left hand in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. On December 9, 2019, Hayward returned from injury against the Cavaliers.

National team career
Hayward was selected as a member of the United States team for the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. Hayward averaged 10 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as Team USA won the championship. He was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

In 2012, Hayward was selected as a member of the USA Basketball Select Team that trained against the United States Olympic team.

In 2014, Hayward was selected as a finalist for the United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team, but he did not make the final 12-man roster.

In 2016, Hayward was named a finalist for United States Olympic team. He ultimately withdrew his name from selection, citing "family obligations".

Personal life
Hayward is the son of Jody and Gordon Scott Hayward. He has a twin sister, Heather, who played tennis for Butler University.

Hayward is married. In 2015, his wife Robyn gave birth to the couple's first child. In July 2016, the couple's second child was born. In January 2019, the couple's third daughter was born.

Hayward is interested in video games and named League of Legends as his favourite esport. Hayward also is active in mobile games such as Clash Royale, where he created a clan inviting friends and fans to compete and socialize. In October 2018, League of Legends developer Riot Games released an animated commercial in support of Hayward's recovery from an ankle injury while playing for the Boston Celtics. Hayward has appeared in commercials for the IGN Pro League and played StarCraft II during IGN Pro League 3 in 2011. Hayward has esports and gaming endorsements with HyperX, Xfinity, and AutoFull.

In 2017, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ NBA Jersey Report listed Hayward's jersey as the 13th best selling in the league.

In 2018, Hayward signed an endorsement deal with Chinese sports footwear and apparel company Anta. As part of the deal, Hayward will debut a signature shoe line. Hayward previously had endorsement deals with Peak and Nike.

Hayward appeared in advertisements for Unilever's line of men's bodycare products during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.