NTF Forward Kevarius Hayes featured in Local Media

SHS's Hayes a NIKE Elite 100: Sophomore basketball player invited to prestigious event

"Live Oak — Suwannee High School sophomore Kevarrius Hayes spent June 3-9 in St. Louis, Mo. as part of a special camp for elite basketball athletes, the Nike Elite 100.
 The first skill development event of the summer for Nike Elite Youth Basketball, Nike Elite 100 focused on the nation’s best high school basketball players. 
Hayes was able to attend the event sponsored by Nike that featured many of the best instructors and elite high school coaches in the country. 


“The event helps build a foundation of the knowledge of the game for years to come,” Nike Elite 100’s website explains. “The goal for the Nike Elite 100 is to give the best players the opportunity to develop their skills and to grow their game to heights never imagined.”

Past participants in this event have gone on to star at some of the top college programs in the country and eventually make an impact in the NBA.


“Your selection as a participant in this prestigious event clearly signals that you are nationally recognized as one of the elite players in your class,” a letter from Nike to Hayes reads. 


SHS varsity basketball coach Jeremy Ulmer accompanied Hayes to the event. "Kevarrius did extremely well, he definitely deserved to be there" said Ulmer. 
Ulmer said the level of talent was amazing and included several seven foot tall players. 


There were eight players from the state of Florida selected along with participants from across the nation. Participation in the event is by invitation only. Hayes, who plays travel basketball for Nike Team Florida, was selected because of outstanding play during the spring Elite Youth Basketball League season. 
Hayes has been a varsity basketball player at SHS for two years earning the Defensive Player of the Year Award and an Academic Award for maintaining a grade point average above a 3.0. He has also been a member of the track and field team for two years setting a school record in the high jump. He is active in student government serving as the sophomore class president and is active with HOSA. Hayes’ future plans include medical school where he hopes to become a surgeon.


"We have worked very hard over the last three years to establish a quality basketball program at Suwannee High School that will benefit our students and the community,” said Ulmer. “My goal is to get kids to college." 
Several colleges have contacted Ulmer about Hayes. They include Alabama, Kansas State and Ulmer's alma mater, the University of Florida.


"Kevarrius has everything it takes to be a major D1 player. He has athletic and academic ability, a positive attitude and a great work ethic,” said Ulmer. “He is everything a coach could ask for in a player." - Suwannee Democrat 

Story Link: http://suwanneedemocrat.com/suwanneesports/x1504163505/SHS-s-Kevarrius-Hayes-a-Nike-Elite-100

Prep pulse: Suwannee's Hayes starts summer right

"Just because school is out and it is close to summer (June 21) doesn't mean high school athletes around the area are taking it easy. Far from it. In the case of incoming junior Kevarrius Hayes of Suwannee, his summer break got off to an exciting start. Hayes, a 6-foot-8 center, traveled to St. Louis with Bulldogs coach Jeremy Ulmer recently as one of the nation's promising underclassmen invited to the Nike Elite 100. A second-team all-area performer, Hayes averaged 11.3 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks a game for Suwannee during his sophomore year as the Bulldogs reached the regional semifinals, falling to Tallahassee Rickards. That team was led by standout guard Jimmie Taylor III, the area's leading scorer at 24 points per game and signed to Rider in what is believed to be the first Division I boys basketball signing ever at Suwannee. Considering Hayes is already getting attention from Florida, Alabama and Kansas State, the Bulldogs will likely have another Division I signee in two years. “Kevarrius has everything it takes to be a major D-I player,” Ulmer said. “He has athletic and academic ability, a positive attitude and a great work ethic. He is everything a coach could ask for in a player.” Hayes, who plays travel basketball for Nike Team Florida, was invited to St. Louis because of his outstanding play during the spring Elite Youth Basketball League season. A sample of his play (a dominating dunk) can be seen online at  http://bit.ly/13J6sLM  The center has also been a member of the track and field team for two years, and won a district title in the high jump (6 feet) this past season. Active in student government, Hayes was the sophomore class president and has been active with Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). His future plans include going to medical school where he hopes to become a surgeon. “We have worked very hard the last three years to establish a quality basketball program at Suwannee High School that will benefit our students and the community,” Ulmer said. “My goal is to get kids to college.” - Larry Savage (Gainesville Sun)

Story Link: http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20130615/ARTICLES/130619711/1185/frontpage?Title=Prep-pulse-Suwannee-s-Hayes-starts-summer-right