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[Saba Sports News] Former Los Angeles Lakers player Nigel Hayes-Davis has been playing in Europe since 2018, though he admits his time there has been far from joyful. Appearing on Off The RECourt with Shane Larkin, Hayes-Davis shared that his recent stint with USA Basketball’s Select Team helped him rediscover his passion for the game.
“The best times were just being on the bench,” Hayes-Davis said. “In Europe, being on the bench often means frustration. Someone’s always yelling, critiquing every play, and the atmosphere feels tense.”
Reflecting on the USA Select Team experience, he recounted sitting alongside Kevin Durant, watching LeBron James and other stars with a sense of ease and camaraderie. “We’d be watching LeBron dunk, and Durant would joke, ‘They need to put that on 2K!’” Hayes-Davis added. “I rediscovered a joy I hadn’t felt in Europe. There, it’s all high stress, with no moments to just enjoy the game.”
Shane Larkin agreed, noting that European basketball is a constant pressure cooker. Hayes-Davis, who now plays for Fenerbahce, said he wishes he could have fun on the court but feels the culture in European leagues is vastly different.
Although Hayes-Davis once dreamed of an NBA career, he went undrafted in 2017 after four years at Wisconsin. He had brief stints with the New York Knicks, Lakers, Raptors, and Kings, before moving overseas.
Since then, he’s played for teams like Galatasaray, Zalgiris Kaunas, Barcelona, and now Fenerbahce, helping his current team reach the EuroLeague Final Four last season. This season, he’s averaging 16.5 points and has contributed to Fenerbahce’s strong 6-2 start.
Looking back, Hayes-Davis treasures his time with NBA stars on the Select Team. Rubbing shoulders with players like LeBron, Steph Curry, and Durant during their training for the 2024 Olympics is an experience he’ll always hold close.