One of the greatest players to ever don the Scarlet and White, James Hayes established 12 different records in his three year (1967-70) career. Graduating in 1970 with a degree in physical education, Hayes finished his BU basketball career with 1,679 points, a 24.3 scoring average, .562 field goal percentage, 565 free throws and 760 free throw attempts. His career highs included 616 points in a season, 47 points in a game, 216 free throws in a season and 281 free throws in a season.
A draft pick of the New York Nets of the Old American Basketball Association, Hayes accumulated numerous honors and awards at Boston University. He was named New England Sophomore of the Year in 1968. His junior and senior years were followed by selection to the ECAC, United Press International and Associated Press All-New England Teams. He was also named to the USBWA District I All-Star team those two years as well as receiving the Lou Cohen Award for being the Most Valuable Player on the team. In addition, he received the Mickey Cochrane Memorial Award as Boston University's top student-athlete his junior year.
A tri-captain his senior year, Hayes was further honored by being named a honorable mention All-American by Look Magazine.
A graduate of both St. Agnes Catholic High, in Rockville Centreon Long Island, and Cheshire Academy, Hayes played for Charles Luce and led the Terriers in scoring three straight years. A 6-foot-4 forward, Hayes averaged 23.8 points as a sophomore, 25.7 points as a junior and 23.7 points as a senior. He was among the nation's scoring and shooting leaders as the Terriers went 10-14 his sophomore year and 14-10 the following two years.
