All-Big 12 UC Bearcats forward Jillian Hayes makes her debut in SI swimsuit issue
The University of Cincinnati has had Hall of Famers in many sports, first-round draft picks and national champions, but Bearcats women's basketball player Jillian Hayes has done something that no one in school history can match.
The 6-foot-1 forward who recently announced her return for a final season, will be in the upcoming Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Hayes, a Loveland High School grad, joins Big 12 student-athletes Jas Williams, a UCF softball shortstop, and Alexa Massari, a Houston diver, in representing the league.
Hayes was among Big 12 student-athletes nominated and when the call came in February, things moved quickly.
"It was the week of my Senior Night," Hayes said. "We played on a Saturday (vs. BYU), then we flew out on a Sunday. We shot on Monday and I flew out (of Belize) on Tuesday morning and flew back into Kansas. Then, I played Kansas (Feb. 14) the next day! After we got back from Kansas, I had my Senior Night that next Saturday (vs. TCU Feb. 17). Being able to do it was insane in the fact that it was in the middle of my season."
Despite the fanfare and whirlwind week, Hayes came back from Belize with a double-double (15 points, 17 rebounds) in a loss to Kansas and followed that up with 14 points and nine rebounds on Senior Night vs. TCU. She led Katrina Merriweather's Bearcats in scoring at 12.9 points per game and pulled down 8.4 rebounds on average.
The trio was photographed in Belize by Sports Illustrated's Derek Kettela. From Cincinnati, it would be very determined 50-plus hours by car. Reaching Central America by plane is roughly 3 1/2 hours.
"I was very grateful to UC, the Big 12 and obviously Sports Illustrated for the opportunity," Hayes said. "NIL's been a great opportunity for student-athletes to capitalize on their name, image and likeness, but also to try other things."
This year’s trio of Big 12 athletes who grace the magazine are Jas Williams, Jillian Hayes and Alexa Massari. https://t.co/BSnosxbmi7
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 10, 2024
Hayes has started every game for the Bearcats since she was a sophomore and 110 of 114 games overall. She was a four-star prospect out of Loveland, named the Eastern Cincinnati Conference Co-Player of the Year.
DNA doesn't lie
As documented previously, Hayes is the sister of NBA player Jaxson Hayes who starred at Moeller, then Texas before being a first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 2019 with the eighth pick overall. The Hawks immediately traded the pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. The 7-footer is now a Los Angeles Laker.
Their father Jonathan Hayes is currently Moeller's athletic director but previously was head coach of the XFL St. Louis Battlehawks as well as a Cincinnati Bengals assistant (2003-2018) under Marvin Lewis. Hayes played tight end for the Chiefs and Steelers.
Mom paved way
Kristi Hayes was nearly in Jillian’s Nikes herself. At Drake in 1995, she was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. A high school scoring legend, Kristi (Kinne) Hayes popped in over 3,400 points and is in the Iowa High School Hall of Fame.
Outshooting their mother on their home court was always an accomplishment for the Hayes kids. Actually, in 1994, Kristi Hayes nearly graced Sports Illustrated herself.
“I turned it down,” Kristi Hayes said. “Back then I don’t think they appreciated athletic bodies like they do now.”
The cancer survivor remains athletic in tennis and takes great pride in the accomplishments of her talented children.
Jillian Hayes also has two younger brothers. Jewett Hayes enrolled early as a defensive lineman at Virginia and will walk with his Moeller classmates this month. Jonah is an edge rusher with the Crusaders with one season left in his prep career.
Behind the scenes as Big 12 student-athletes @alexamassari, @jillianhayess, and @jassievers got to shoot in Belize with Big 12 Homecoming partner, @si_swimsuit.
These women athletes who excel in their sports & the classroom will grace the pages of this year’s 60th edition! pic.twitter.com/tq8mxYurCI— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 10, 2024
Maximizing media exposure
Jillian Hayes recently was part of the Jason and Travis Kelce "New Heights" podcast at Fifth Third Arena which featured her being interviewed during a competition. On June 12, she'll be part of the "Reigns and Reds" game at Great American Ballpark participating in the first pitch along with UC offensive guard Luke Kandra.
The ultimate plan for Hayes is sportscasting and she currently hosts a podcast called "Half An Athlete" with soccer player Aubrie Rasheed of Oregon State. The Sports Illustrated opportunity can only open more doors.
"I am still in disbelief," Hayes said on her X account "Truly one of the most incredible experiences, and I’m so glad I got to do it with such amazing people."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: All-Big 12 forward Jillian Hayes represents UC in SI swimsuit edition
