Aurélie SACCHELLI, Media365, published on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 11:56
The Detroit Pistons announced on Tuesday that they had activated the option of a contract for three players, including 20-year-old French point guard Killian Hayes, for the 2022-23 season.
Crossed destinies for young French NBA … While Sekou Doumbouya, who played in Detroit for the last two seasons, was sent to Brooklyn, then to Houston, before being cut by the Rockets, his former teammate Killian Hayes has meanwhile extended his contract with the Pistons. Drafted last year in seventh position by the Michigan franchise, the best draft in history for a French player, the 20-year-old point guard saw his franchise lift his contract option for the 2022-23 season, as did his teammates Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey. The Pistons had until the end of the month to make up their minds, but they didn’t hesitate for long.
Only 26 games for Hayes last season
After a frustrating first season, Killian Hayes will be expected for his sophomore season. Last January, for his seventh NBA game (the seventh as a starter), he injured his hip against Milwaukee, and only made his comeback in April, in a franchise that ended. last of the Eastern Conference (20v-52d). In total, he averaged 6.8 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26 minutes, and played 26 of 72 games, including 18 in the major five. After his return from injury, he alternated between good and bad, but still signed a game with 21 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds against Chicago.
Casey “In September he came back different”
For his second season, the former Choletais hopes to reap the fruits of the work done this summer. “ After the Summer League (6.3pts, 5.3rbds and 4.6bds on average in three games, editor’s note) I returned to France and I worked a lot with my coaches. I know I can be a great advocate so I focus on that “Hayes explained during the” media day “last week. And his coach Dwane Casey obviously appreciated his efforts: “I have great confidence in Killian. He came back in September being a different kid. He did a good job in his individual training, especially in terms of speed and rhythm ”. To be confirmed this Wednesday during the first pre-season game against San Antonio.
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