4/8/2021 basketball Edit

NC State earns commitment from Mississippi State transfer Madison Hayes

Justin H. Williams • TheWolfpackCentral

Staff Writer

Mississippi State transfer guard Madison Hayes announced her commitment to NC State Saturday.

Hayes, a 6-0 combo guard, was selected to the coaches SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 4.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 2020-21. She also shot 44 percent from the field and 38.5 percent on three-point attempts.

Hayes started in nine of her 19 appearances during her debut collegiate campaign. After making her first career start in mid-January, she earned in a start in each of the Bulldogs' final eight contests.

"Madison Hayes is a player that excels in all three phases of the game," NC State head coach Wes Moore said in a released statement. "Offensively, she can get to the rim as well as knock down the three. Defensively, her combination of strength and quickness allows her to be a lockdown defender.

"These same attributes make her a relentless rebounder on both ends of the court. We're excited to add the talent and toughness of Madison to the NC State program."

NC State Wolfpack basketball Madison Hayes — Mississippi State freshman guard Madison Hayes announced her commitment to NC State Thursday. (Dawson Powers, USA Today Sports)

Hayes was a five-star talent out of East Hamilton High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. and was ranked the No. 7 guard and No. 28 overall prospect in the 2020 class according to ESPNW's HoopGurlz recruiting rankings. She was also a 2020 McDonald's All-American and a member of the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup team.

She totaled 3,055 points, 1,583 rebounds, 459 assists and 457 steals during her four-year high school career.

The SEC transfer showcased an ability to consistently make an impact in games at the college level in several different ways. She scored a season-high 13 points in the Bulldogs' 69-62 win at Georgia.

Hayes also claimed season-highs of nine rebounds against Jackson State, four assists versus Central Arkansas, four steals against Ole Miss and two blocks in a win over Auburn.