Chuck Hayes taken ninth in CBA Draft but still hopes to make an NBA roster

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/12709169.htm

Posted on Thu, Sep. 22, 2005



Former University of Kentucky star Chuck Hayes was the No. 9 overall pick Tuesday night in the Continental Basketball Association Draft.

Hayes, known more as a winner and a leader than as a scorer or a rebounder at UK, was not chosen in June's NBA Draft, but he played for the Houston Rockets' summer-league team and still hopes to make a roster this fall.

Thanks to the CBA's Dakota Wizards and their new coach, Dave Bliss, Hayes now has another option.

"He's nothing but a winner as a kid," Bliss, the former Baylor coach, told the Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune. "He's a great rebounder. He's played in an up-and-down style that we want to play. He's played in a disciplined program like Tubby (Smith) runs."

The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Hayes averaged 10.9 points and 7.7 rebounds last season at Kentucky.

Otis George of Louisville was drafted in the second round, No. 13 overall, by Yakama.