The Merrimack College men’s basketball team announced that former point guard Juvaris Hayes would be joining their coaching staff for the 2023-24 season.
“It is great to have Juvaris back”, said head coach Joe Gallo. “Nobody knows our program and what goes into winning at Merrimack more than him. He will be an invaluable resource for our players.”
Hayes spent four seasons in North Andover, seeing immediate success as a freshman, earning Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Year after averaging 13.9 to go along with a NCAA Division II leading 9.3 assists per game. The Warriors made it to the second round of the Division II East Regional during his freshman season. The Paterson, N.J. native averaged 17.8 points per game in his sophomore season. He finished the year leading the entire NCAA in steals per game with 3.9, as well as total assists (255) and total steals (124). Merrimack once again made it to the second round of the East regional. Hayes was named to the NE-10 First Team.
“I could not be more excited to be back in North Andover”, said Hayes. “Merrimack holds a special place in my heart and I cannot wait to get going with Coach Gallo and the team.”
In his junior season, Hayes was named NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged a career-high 19.3 points, 6.6 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.9 steals per game. His close to four steals per game led the country. Hayes was once again named to the NE-10 First Team. The Warriors won 22 games during the 2018-19 season, including 14 in the NE-10. For his final season, Hayes on the team that was the first to transition to Division I at Merrimack. In just his second game in Division I he ran point in one of the biggest wins in school history against Northwestern University. Hayes continued his great play throughout the year, averaging 10.7 points per game. The Warriors would win the Northeast Conference regular season title. Hayes once again led the country in steals per game with 3.9. He was named to the NEC First Team, won NEC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as won the Lefty Driesell Award which is given to the nation’s most outstanding Division I defender. Others to win the award include, Anthony Davis and Kent Bazemore.
Hayes would finish his career as the NCAA’s all-time leader in steals with 457. He finished his career at Merrimack as the all-time leader in assists with 952. He also holds the record for most assists in a season with 287. He also ranks fifth in career rebounds (741) and seventh in career points (1,951).
After graduation, Hayes played in Europe for two seasons. Playing with the Itzehoe Eagles in Germany and the BC TS Tbilisi in Georgia.
