The University of Mississippi Athletics
Men's Basketball Announces Signing of Josh Hayes
6/21/1999 | Men's Basketball
November 13, 1998
OXFORD, Miss. - Josh Hayes, a 6-foot-6 forward from Little Rock, Ark., has signed a national letter of intent to attend Ole Miss beginning in the 1999-2000 academic year, announced Rebel first-year head coach Rod Barnes on Friday.
Hayes is the fifth signee for the Rebels during the early signing period, which began on Nov. 11. Hayes joins John Gunn, Aaron Harper, Richard Kirklin and Emmanuel Wade as members of the Ole Miss 1998 recruiting class.
Named one of Arkansas' top 10 basketball prospects this year by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Hayes returns for his final season at Parkview High School in Little Rock in 1998-99. Hayes is coached by Al Flanigan, father of Ole Miss' Jason Flanigan.
"Josh is another versatile player who can play at the small forward and off-guard positions," said Barnes. "At 6-foot-7, he will add size to our backcourt. Josh has good range on his shot, and he can also play in the post. He has played a lot in the post during his high school career, but he has such a versatile game that he will be able to adjust to playing on the perimeter at this level. I expect Josh to make an immediate impact in our program."
As a junior in 1997-98, Hayes averaged 12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in helping lead Parkview High to the Arkansas 4A state title. He earned Arkansas 4A All-Tournament Team honors and was also named 4A All-State. An honor roll student at Parkview High School, Hayes averaged 3.5 points his sophomore season in 1996-97.
This past summer, Hayes helped lead the Arkansas Hawks AAU team to a fifth-place finish at the 17-under national tournament. Hayes, who joined Kirklin and Wade on the Hawks squad, earned AAU All-America accolades for his outstanding performance in the tournament.
Ole Miss, which posted a 22-7 record in 1997-98, started regular-season play for the 1998-99 campaign on Friday versus Alabama State.
1998 Ole Miss Men's Basketball Signees
Player Pos Ht Wt Hometown/High SchoolJohn Gunn C/F 6-11 245 Oxford, Miss./Oxford HSAaron Harper G 6-5 180 Jackson, Miss./Provine HSJosh Hayes F 6-6 190 Little Rock, Ark./Parkview HSRichard Kirklin F 6-8 195 Pine Bluff, Ark./Watson Chapel HSEmmanuel Wade G 6-3 185 Marianna, Ark./Lee HS
