Hayden Thomas (193-G, college: Bethel, TN) is a 193cm guard from Missouri that began his basketball career at Twin Rivers High School. He then played two seasons of JUCO at Rend Lake College (JUCO) averaging 12.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 74.5% and at North Arkansas College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 70.0%. He then played 3 seasons at Bethel University, Tennessee (NAIA). He sampled early pro experience with Howard Hoops (Thailand-Warriors League) averaging 19.1ppg, 6.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT-1 (55.1%). He spoke togermanhoops.com before taking part at the RSI Las Vegas Overseas Combine.

Thanks Hayden for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing at the RSI Las Vegas Overseas Combine. How excited are you to taking part and showing your talent?

Hello Miles, thanks for having me on Eurobasket.com. I am extremely excited about this opportunity in front of me.

How did you find about the offer and why did you believe it was the right opportunity for you?

I found the offer through my agent Ron Howard. I believe it’s the right opportunity for me to showcase my talent and move in the right direction of my goals I have set for myself.

What is your impression of the man in charge Ron Howard? You already played for him in Thailand. Are you aware of his incredible track record of helping place guys overseas with jobs?

My impression of Ron Howard is that he is a leader on and off the basketball court. He has played professionally overseas and now he is teaching and coaching the game to the youth. Yes, I had a great experience playing for him in Thailand. I am aware of his incredible track record of helping place guys overseas with jobs. He has guys playing in Albania, Ukraine and many more countries. We have had conversations and he has told me how many of his players are playing well and moving up in various leagues.

What do you appreciate most about Ron Howards character and his ability to help hungry guys get set with a pro career?

I appreciate Ron Howard’s character and ability to help hungry guys get set with a pro career of being honest and straightforward. As an agent, he will be straight forward and honest with me as a player on what I do well and what I need to get better at. Recently having played for him in Thailand, we have had many positive conversations on things that are true and that I agree with to get to the next level.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I believe Luke Kennard would best fit the description of a NBA player to compare myself with.

You’re a guard that can really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

Versatility is very big in my game. I believe I have a high IQ on the basketball court where I have the ability to adapt to different situations during games.

Talk about your shooting. Where so you see it currently and what steps do you still need to do to be a very consistent shooter?

I have a lot of confidence in my shooting currently. I know I can continue to take specific steps to be a very consistent shooter.

Talk about your playmaking. How did your game grow in school and where do you see your playmaking at the moment?

My game has grown in school by being able to space the floor and making the defense respect my shooting ability. I see my playmaking abilities good at the moment, but I need to continue to get better making the right reads.

Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I am a guy who can defend all 3 guard positions at the moment. I still want to become a stronger defender and work on having quicker feet.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I am working on every part of my game to improve, but the top 2 things I need to get better at is my defense and ball handling.

Let´s talk about your career. After high school, you played 2 seasons of juco with Rend Lake College (JUCO) averaging 12.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 74.5% and at North Arkansas College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 70.0%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO reported it was a real grind, but one that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

I had a good freshman year at Rend Lake College and learned a lot about my game on both sides of the ball from 2 high level coaches in Tommy Holder and Roy Booker. The year I played at North Arkansas College was the COVID year, so that was a real grind for sure. We couldn’t play basketball the whole first semester. Our season got cut short and only got to play for 3 months. January, February, and March. COVID was something that was out of my control and it affected everyone in the United States for a long time. Overall, I enjoyed my first 2 years playing Juco and definitely wouldn’t have traded it for anything else.

How key were head coaches Tommy Holder and Steve Hunter in your early basketball development. How did they help your game best in those early years?

Tommy Holder and Steve Hunter were both key in my early basketball development. They helped my game in so many ways early on. Being able to be coached from 2 great coaches and their coaching staff in a span of 2 years was a great experience.

You then played 3 years at Bethel University, Tennessee (NAIA). In your first season you averaged 8.3ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 36.6%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 76.2%. but in your last 2 seasons played only 6 games. How tough were these 3 years? What positives could you take from it?

These 3 years were tough, because my first year at Bethel was the year after COVID. So I came in off the bench behind 6 of our 5th year seniors from getting that extra year back from COVID. My second year at Bethel, I had a season ending ankle injury in practice before the season started and had to have surgery. My third year at Bethel, I was 6 games into the season and tore my ACL and Meniscus in my knee and had to have season ending surgery again. So my basketball career at Bethel was a tough one. Some positives I can take away from it is that everything happens for a reason and I have came back stronger and hungrier from those injuries I experienced at Bethel.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Drew Thomas?

Me

You played with Howard Hoops (Thailand-Warriors League) averaging 19.1ppg, 6.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT-1 (55.1%). How valuable was this first pro experience? What did you learn from it?

This first pro experience was very valuable in understanding what it takes to be a pro. I learned that having great confidence and being prepared are 2 of the biggest factors on the court. At the pro level, everyone can play. But how can you set yourself apart from the others. I learned a lot by using my strengths to my advantage, earning First Team All-Pro.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Logan Willoughby?

Me

What is your biggest dream as a pro player?

My biggest dream as a pro player is to win a championship for an organization that gives me an opportunity and a chance to be a part of their program.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

E.J. Liddell and Jay Scrubb

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ja’Monte Black, Demarcus Sharp, Lathaniel Bastian, Kinyon Hodges, and Jeramy Shaw.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird.

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

No, I have not seen it.

Thanks Hayden for the chat