LMU Receives Commitment from 2014 Guard Matt Hayes

Mar 6, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap stands on the floor during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Dunlap just received an important commitment for Loyola Marymount’s 2014 recruiting class as guard Matthew Hayes, who just completed his freshman season at Santa Rosa Junior College, will join the Lions program for the 2014-15 season.  In his freshman season, Hayes averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 43.6% from beyond the arc while knocking down 92 three pointers.

Hayes is now the 3rd player in the last couple of seasons from Santa Rosa JC to move on to a play for a team in the West Coast Conference.  Bobby Sharp of Portland and Sama Taku of Pacific also got their collegiate careers started at Santa Rosa.  Lorenzo McCloud also went from Santa Rosa to Pacific, but his career ended before the Tigers joined the West Coast Conference.

As an undersized shooting guard who is a lights out three point shooter, Hayes seems to be a similar player to Johnny Dee or more realistically Bobby Sharp.  He should be able to come to LMU and hit shots from the perimeter, and he should be a nice complement to Evan Payne next season, when they will both be sophomores.