Nigel Hayes-Davis banked on his European credentials and he did it with flying colors after the Wisconsin Badgers alum won the EuroLeague Final Four MVP and the EuroLeague title with Turkish team Fenerbahçe.
Nigel Hayes-Davis versus Phoenix Suns
Apr 3, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Josh Jackson (right) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Nigel Hayes in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
That is his biggest accomplishment so far since he journeyed to other continent to play professional basketball seven years ago. He was able to establish himself as a winner and a great basketball player and now, he is heading back to America.
He was previously linked to the Boston Celtics after team officials were spotted in Europe.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the 30-year-old power forward has signed with the Phoenix Suns who have been very busy creating a new, contending roster after parting ways with Kevin Durant.
Fenerbahce’s Nigel Hayes-Davis – the 2025 Euroleague champion and finals MVP as well as Turkish Cup champion and MVP – has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The two-time Euroleague first-teamer returns to the States and NBA. pic.twitter.com/4f75izENgM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
USATSI 9969097
Mar 24, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket against Florida Gators forward Justin Leon (23) during the second half in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Hayes-Davis last played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings in 2018. He went undrafted in the 2017 draft but managed to find a way in through the G-League team Westchester Knicks and then through the Los Angeles Lakers.
He’s been with four European ball clubs since going to Europe before finding a home with Fenerbahçe.
Nigel Hayes-Davis is getting compared to PJ Tucker
Hayes-Davis may be unknown to casual NBA fans but those who know him, especially after Europe, are hailing his signing.
He even gets compared to PJ Tucker who like him used Europe as a pathway back to the NBA. Tucker started with the Toronto Raptors in 2006 but then left for Europe for five years before getting signed by the very team that Hayes-Davis will be playing for this season – the Suns.
Nigel Hayes-Davis is not some Euro league project folks! This is a good professional basketball player who is a D&3 Stud! He had interest from multiple NBA teams. I remember in 2012 when the Suns signed some 27 year old Euro champion & and finals MVP from Germany named PJ Tucker! pic.twitter.com/TAPgWbaOd1
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) July 1, 2025
PJ Tucker vs Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
The stats will also show how efficient Hayes-Davis can be.
Nigel Hayes-Davis made 41% of his spot up and off screen three-pointers, shot 51% in the post, and scored steadily both rolling and popping as a screener this season. pic.twitter.com/rmbIdECL4r
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) July 1, 2025
He is expected to get good minutes with the Suns this season who won’t have Bol Bol in the line-up anymore.
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