The player that had a fast rise from the Texas basketball program was not who most expected this season. At least early on, the Texas Longhorns are getting a ton of production from true freshman big man Jaxson Hayes. The rise of Hayes is much different than what the Horns got out of its top pro prospect last season. Hayes is also emerging into a legitimate first round 2019 NBA Draft prospect.
Last season, the top tier NBA prospect from the Horns roster was solidified from the very start of the year. That former Texas standout is now with the Orlando Magic as a first-year center part of a deep front court, Mohamed Bamba.