Jillian Hayes is a sophomore guard on the Cincinnati Bearcats Women’s basketball team, who are currently 7-5. Raised in Loveland, Ohio, Hayes graduated from Lockland High School back in 2020. Hayes said, “She committed to UC because she wanted to continue to play in front of friends and family.” Born to an All-American Division I basketball-playing mother, an ex-NFL player and coach. She also has two younger brothers that play lacrosse, basketball and football. While her older brother, Jaxson Hayes currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron in the G-League (New Orleans Pelicans). Athletics just runs in Hayes’s DNA, and it is apparent when she appears on the court.
On December 1st, playing against Central Michigan in front of a home crowd coming up with the win, making 59-54. Jillian Hayes scored her career-high of 23 points. Though Hayes has constantly proven herself on the court, she remains humble giving her credit to her teammates. She said there is an abundant amount of talent on the UC Women’s basketball team. Hayes expressed that the team has some strong bigs and guards. Hayes also credits her head coach Michelle Heard-Clark, by praising her transition basketball playbook. She also has a background in volleyball and still enjoys playing it occasionally. However, her focus is to win the conference championship and make it to the NCAA tournament. Due to the pandemic,
Hayes’s first year was a hard adjustment. Though the 2020-21 season did not have the ideal circumstances, she believes that the chemistry that was built between her teammates will help lead them to many victories this year. Freshmen year she learned about perseverance. Hayes ended up being the fourth UC player to be named to the AAC All-Freshmen Team. To prepare for the 2021-22 season, she utilized her summer to practice her shot-making skills. Growing up both of her parents were coaches, so she learned how to accept feedback and constantly better herself.
Hayes wears No. 20 and stands at the height of 6-foot-1. To start the season, she is averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks while averaging 31.0 minutes of playing time. UC fans cannot wait to see what else Hayes has in store for this season.
