Killian Hayes has emerged as one of the NBA’s most intriguing young guards, blending French basketball fundamentals with raw playmaking potential. From his early days in Europe to his current role with the Brooklyn Nets, Hayes’ journey reflects perseverance in a league that demands constant adaptation.
Let’s explore his career trajectory, financial milestones, and personal life.
Killian Hayes Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Killian Deron Antron Hayes |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 2001 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Nationality | French-American |
| Height | 6’5” (1.96 meters) |
| Weight | 195–201 lbs (88.5–91 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2016 (Cholet Basket, France) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5–10 million |
| Salary (2024/25) | $128,603 (Brooklyn Nets 10-day contract) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Instagram/Twitter | N/A |
Early Career
Killian Hayes’ basketball journey began almost as soon as he could walk. Born in Florida but raised in France from age one, he grew up in gymnasiums watching his father, DeRon Hayes, play professionally for Cholet Basket.
By six years old, he joined Cholet’s youth academy, dribbling alongside kids twice his size. His parents rejected an invitation to INSEP – France’s elite sports academy that produced Tony Parker – believing Cholet’s hands-on approach better suited his development.
This decision proved pivotal: at 15, he dominated Cholet’s U21 team with 16.6 points and 7.2 assists per game, earning 2018 LNB Espoirs MVP honors. The teenager made history on October 21, 2017, becoming the youngest French Pro A player since 1987 at 16 years and 85 days old. Though he initially played sparingly for Cholet’s senior squad, his potential shone during the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup.
Leading France to the finals, Hayes averaged 16.1 points and 3.3 assists, outdueling future NBA talents like Isaiah Stewart. His signature performance came against Lithuania in the semis – 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, showcasing the two-way tenacity that would define his career.
Hayes’ 2018-19 Pro A season revealed both promise and growing pains. Starting the year injured, he struggled initially under coach Régis Boissié, later admitting “I thought I’d made a mistake staying in Europe” as Cholet languished in last place. But when Erman Kunter took over, the offense began flowing through the 6’5” guard.
A March 2019 outburst against Chalon exemplified his growth – 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in 24 minutes, making him the youngest French league player ever with a 5×5 stat line. Though raw (shooting just 41% from two-point range), his court vision attracted EuroLeague suitors. The summer of 2019 brought a career-altering gamble.
Despite interest from Barcelona and Olympiacos, Hayes chose ratiopharm Ulm – a mid-tier German Bundesliga club. Coach Jaka Lakovic handed him the keys to the offense, and Hayes responded with 11.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. His November 2019 duel against Alba Berlin showcased evolved playmaking: 24 points and 11 assists, exploiting pick-and-rolls with surgical precision.
By December, he’d shattered his career high with 25 points against Maccabi Rishon LeZion, draining five three-pointers. Though COVID-19 cut the season short, Hayes had cemented himself as a top-10 NBA draft prospect a lanky lefty drawing comparisons to James Harden for his step-back artistry and pace control.
Professional Career
Killian Hayes’ NBA journey began with high expectations when the Detroit Pistons drafted him 7th overall in 2020. Signing a 4-year, $24.1 million rookie contract, the French-American guard faced immediate adversity. A labral tear in his right hip during his third NBA game sidelined him for three months, limiting his rookie season to 26 games.
Despite flashes of playmaking brilliance—like an 11-assist outing against Dallas and a 21-point game versus Chicago—he struggled with efficiency, shooting 35.3% from the field and 27.8% from deep. The 2021–22 season saw Hayes earn a starting role, but his shooting woes persisted. While he posted career-high defensive numbers (1.2 steals per game), his 26.3% three-point accuracy highlighted ongoing offensive limitations.
A turning point came in April 2022 when he dropped 26 points, 8 assists, and 5 steals against Oklahoma City, showcasing his two-way potential. However, consistency remained elusive—he followed that performance with a 1-for-12 shooting night days later. Detroit’s 2022–23 campaign became Hayes’ statistical peak: 10.3 points and 6.2 assists per game.
His improved chemistry with Cade Cunningham briefly silenced critics, particularly during a December 2022 stretch where he averaged 14.7 points and 7.1 assists over 10 games. But a midseason on-court altercation with Orlando’s Mo Wagner resulted in a three-game suspension and public scrutiny.
The incident marked the start of his decline in Detroit, as the Pistons prioritized developing younger guards like Jaden Ivey. By 2023–24, Hayes’ role diminished despite improved shooting (41.3% FG). The February 2024 waiver signaled Detroit’s lost patience, ending a tenure that saw him rank third in franchise history for assists by a player under 22 (1,090). His Brooklyn Nets chapter began turbulently—cut after training camp, he dominated the G League with Long Island (21.0 points, 8.3 assists) before earning a February 2025 10-day NBA contract.
In limited action, Hayes displayed renewed confidence, including a 19-point, 7-assist breakout against Oklahoma City. Though Brooklyn didn’t renew his deal, his 38.1% three-point shooting this season hints at potential growth under player-development specialist coach Jordi Fernandez.
Killian Hayes’ Net Worth Details
Killian Hayes’ net worth is estimated to be between $5–10 million as of 2025.
Contract
Killian Hayes’ contract journey reflects the volatility of NBA roster spots for developing players. After signing a 4-year, $24.13 million rookie deal with Detroit in 2020, he earned $24.13 million through 2023-24 despite inconsistent play. The Pistons waived him in February 2024, ending his tenure after partial guarantees from his rookie contract.
Brooklyn offered a lifeline with a $2.24 million Exhibit 10 deal in September 2024, but waived him weeks later. His February 2025 10-day contract ($128,603) marked a last-chance NBA audition, though Brooklyn didn’t extend it further.
Career earnings total $24.26 million, reduced by $120,781 from a 2022 suspension and $10,000 in fines. Hayes now enters 2025 as an unrestricted free agent, seeking stability after short-term deals.
Salary
Killian Hayes’ salary trajectory reflects the highs and lows of a young NBA career. After signing a 4-year, $24.1 million rookie contract with Detroit in 2020, he earned $7.4 million in his final Pistons season (2023–24) before being waived mid-season. His 2024–25 earnings include a $124,288 Exhibit 10 deal with Brooklyn in September 2024 (later waived) and a $128,603 10-day contract signed in February 2025.
While his career earnings total $24.26 million, fines and suspensions reduced his income by $130,781, including a 2022 three-game suspension costing $120,781. Hayes’ salary peaked at $7.4 million in 2023–24 but has since shifted to short-term prove-it deals, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Detroit Pistons | $5,307,120 |
| 2021-22 | Detroit Pistons | $5,572,680 |
| 2022-23 | Detroit Pistons | $5,837,760 |
| 2023-24 | Detroit Pistons | $7,413,955 |
| 2024-25 | Brooklyn Nets | $252,891 |
| Total | $24,384,406 |
Endorsements
Killian Hayes’ endorsement portfolio centers around his long-term partnership with Puma, which began in 2021. The multi-year deal established him as Puma’s first French basketball ambassador, part of the brand’s push to expand its global hoops presence. While financial terms remain confidential, the agreement includes sneakers and apparel—Hayes has showcased models like the Fusion Nitro Spectra and Court Rider during games.
His role extends beyond footwear, featuring in French marketing campaigns that leverage his Franco-American identity. Though less visible than Puma stars like LaMelo Ball, Hayes’ partnership reflects the brand’s investment in international talent development, complementing his on-court style as a pass-first guard.
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | DET | 6.8 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | .353 | .278 |
| 2021–22 | DET | 6.9 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 1.2 | .383 | .263 |
| 2022–23 | DET | 10.3 | 6.2 | 2.9 | 1.4 | .377 | .280 |
| 2023–24 | DET | 6.9 | 4.9 | 2.8 | 0.9 | .413 | .297 |
| 2024–25 | BKN | 9.0 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 0.7 | .419 | .381 |
FAQs
1. What is Killian Hayes’s nationality and primary playing position?
Hayes is a French-American basketball player who primarily plays point guard, recognized for his crafty left-handed passing, court vision, and ability to initiate offense at a young age.
2. Which NBA team drafted Hayes and what was her draft position?
She was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, joining the league after starting her pro career in France and Germany.
3. What professional basketball experience did Hayes have before joining the NBA?
Hayes played for French club Cholet and German team ratiopharm Ulm, developing as a starter in Europe’s top leagues and earning a reputation for advanced playmaking and on-ball defense.
4. How has Hayes contributed to the Detroit Pistons since her rookie year?
She serves as a primary or backup point guard, displaying defensive energy, improving three-point shooting, and contributing assists and steals when called upon by the Pistons’ coaching staff.
5. What are some of Hayes’s most notable performances or career-high games?
Hayes has posted career highs with double-digit assists and scored over 20 points in select games, showing progress as both a scorer and playmaker for Detroit during injury-filled stretches.
6. What challenges or setbacks has Hayes faced early in her NBA career?
She has dealt with injuries, including a hip issue as a rookie, and occasional shooting struggles, yet continues to work to refine her game and earn consistent rotation minutes.
7. What are Hayes’s strengths and areas for development as viewed by coaches?
Coaches praise her defensive instincts, vision, and unselfishness, while emphasizing the need to improve finishing at the rim, off-ball shooting, and overall consistency in high-pressure situations.
8. How do teammates and analysts describe Hayes’s impact on the floor?
Teammates value her unselfish approach and vocal leadership, and analysts believe Hayes’s upside remains high if she continues developing as a two-way point guard in the NBA.
9. Has Hayes represented France or the United States in international play?
She has represented France in FIBA youth competitions, leading national teams in assists and earning standout honors in junior championships before shifting focus to her NBA career.
10. What are Hayes’s goals as her NBA and international career evolves?
Hayes aims to become a reliable starting point guard, help lead the Pistons back into playoff contention, and play a key role for France in upcoming international tournaments.
