Heather Hayes Joins Women's Basketball Team

Nov. 2, 2004

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Heather Hayes, a guard from Derby, Kan., is joining the University of Kansas women’s basketball team, head coach Bonnie Henrickson announced Tuesday.

Hayes, a 5-8 junior, enrolled at KU in the summer of 2003 and spent the 2003-04 season as a redshirt walk-on for the Jayhawks, and practiced with the team. Hayes left the team following the season, but decided to return after she was offered a scholarship by Henrickson.

“Heather has a great work ethic and will add needed depth to our team,” Henrickson said. “She is a quality person, both on and off the court, and we’re happy we were able to offer her a scholarship.”

Hayes graduated from Derby High School in 2001 where she averaged 15 points and five assists and was named honorable mention all-state as a senior. She began her collegiate career at Oral Roberts University, where she played the 2001-02 season. She saw action in 21 games as a freshman and nailed 83 percent of her free throws. In the classroom, she was named an ORU Scholar-Athlete.

After ORU, Hayes played basketball at Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan., during the 2002 fall semester, and then took classes at Butler County Community College in the spring of 2003.

“It has been a dream of mine to play for Kansas since I was little,” Hayes said. “I’m excited about the opportunity.”

She will wear No. 22 for the Jayhawks this season.

Click here to view the updated roster.