He’s back.
Senior center Bradley Hayes announced Friday evening that the NCAA has granted him a fifth year of eligibility through a hardship exemption and that he will return to play for the Georgetown men’s basketball team next season.
Tyler Pearre
Hayes made the surprise announcement at the team’s annual banquet during what was supposed to be a senior farewell speech.
A source told The Voice that the NCAA informed Hayes of the decision on Wednesday. An additional source told The Voice that the Hoyas’ request for a hardship exemption had “been in the works for a while.” The hardship exemption was granted for Hayes’ freshman season, where he played only 14 total minutes in a span of nine games.
Last season, the seven-footer from Jacksonville started all 27 games he played for the Hoyas, averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game. Hayes missed six games, all of which the Hoyas lost, from Feb. 13 to March 5, after breaking his hand in practice. He returned to play the Hoyas’ final two games in the Big East Tournament.
Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III confirmed the news later in the banquet but could not be reached for further comment afterward, as he departed the banquet early to make a flight to return to the recruiting trail.
