NC State ‘excited’ Madison Hayes will use extra year of eligibility next season
When NC State coach Wes Moore sat in church a few years ago, he would usually fill in any “lulls in the action” by writing his team’s depth chart on a piece of paper. As a basketball lifer, it would be easy to see what he had coming back and what holes he would need to plug.
But in today’s age of the transfer portal?
“You don’t do that anymore,” Moore said. “You don’t know who’s coming [and] who’s going.”
Well, if he is in that situation again soon, there is one name he can write in: guard Madison Hayes. The do-it-all senior announced she would use her extra year of eligibility and return to the Wolfpack next season during her senior day festivities before NC State’s 75-57 win over Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Hayes, a former Mississippi State transfer, has spent the last three seasons with the Wolfpack and has been an integral part of the team’s lineup. She has started all 29 games this season and is averaging 12.0 points with 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists a game for the red and white.
Moore, the Wolfpack’s 11th-year coach, did not downplay Hayes’ impact on his club.
“We’re excited to have Madison back,” Moore said. “She’s been so critical for us all year long. I call her a glue player. She rebounds, she defends, she knocks down threes — does a lot of things for us.”
Hayes has also logged 23 steals and 14 blocks this season as she plays on the wing for the Pack, but has served as the small forward when the team goes small.
Though it was announced before the game, junior guard Saniya Rivers was giddy about Hayes’ return after the Wolfpack’s win. She was uber excited to have the consistent guard back for another season.
“It’s amazing,” Rivers said. “She’s a big player on our team. She plays a big role. She does a lot of little things and a lot of big things. Knowing that we’ll have her back next year, we know that we’re going to make another run. We’re excited to have her back.”
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Hayes tied her season-low with 3 points on a 1-for-10 shooting day against Wake Forest, but she corralled seven rebounds — a key trait in her game. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native has logged at least seven boards in each of the Pack’s last five games and she has recorded six double-digit rebound games this season.
In addition to her on-court talent, Hayes is a key leader on the team. Moore was just as excited to have that part of her game back in the locker room for next season as well.
“Definitely glad to have her back and give us a little more veteran leadership,” Moore said. “I knew there was a chance she’d come back, but no I’m not going to say I was 100% confident.”
Moore can be confident now, and he has a key piece of his starting lineup back in the fold for the 2024-25 campaign. The Wolfpack will still have to replace both starting forwards, Mimi Collins and River Baldwin, since their eligibility will expire at the end of this season.
