History of Gordon Hayward in Timeline
Gordon Hayward is a retired American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the NBA. He played for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. He officially retired in 2024, marking the end of a career marked by scoring ability and versatility on the court.
March 23, 1990: Gordon Hayward Born
On March 23, 1990, Gordon Daniel Hayward was born. He is an American former professional basketball player.
2007: Senior Year
In 2007, as a senior, Gordon Hayward averaged 18.0 points per game.
2008: Indiana Class 4A State Championship
In 2008, Gordon Hayward led Brownsburg to the Indiana Class 4A state championship. In the title game, Hayward made the game-winning basket at the buzzer. He was selected Second-team all-state by AP and First-team all-state by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. He was selected Indianapolis Star Player of the Year. and he received the IHSAA Arthur L. Trester Award in Class 4A.
2008: Freshman Year
In 2008, as a freshman, Gordon Hayward averaged 13.1 points per game.
2009: Horizon League Newcomer of the Year
In 2009, Gordon Hayward was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, and selected to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team and the All-Horizon League First Team. Butler lost in the championship game of the 2009 Horizon League men's basketball tournament to Cleveland State.
2009: All-America Team Nomination
In 2009, Gordon Hayward was nominated for various preseason All-America teams and Player of the Year awards.
2009: FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 2009, Gordon Hayward was selected for the United States team for the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, where he averaged 10 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Team USA won the championship, and Hayward was named to the All-Tournament Team.
May 2010: Announced Intent to Enter NBA Draft
In May 2010, Gordon Hayward announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft.
2010: Lost to Duke in NCAA Championship
In 2010, Butler lost to Duke in the championship game of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Hayward attempted a game-winning, buzzer-beating, half-court shot. Hayward was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
2010: Horizon League Player of the Year
In 2010, Gordon Hayward averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and selected to the All-Horizon League First Team. Hayward was also selected AP All-American Honorable Mention and ESPN Third-team Academic All-American.
2010: Rookie Season
In 2010, Gordon Hayward started his rookie season coming off the bench for the Utah Jazz.
2010: Earned First Postseason Victory
In 2010, The Jazz earned franchise's first postseason victory since 2010.
April 5, 2011: Notable Performance Against Lakers
On April 5, 2011, Gordon Hayward had a noticeable performance in an 86–85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
2011: Played StarCraft II during IGN Pro League 3
In 2011, Gordon Hayward played StarCraft II during IGN Pro League 3.
2012: USA Basketball Select Team Selection
In 2012, Gordon Hayward was chosen as a member of the USA Basketball Select Team. The team trained against the United States Olympic team.
2012: NBA Rising Stars Challenge
In 2012, Gordon Hayward was selected to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge game. Hayward played for Team Chuck and recorded 14 points as his team won the game. Hayward made his NBA playoffs debut against the San Antonio Spurs as the Jazz lost 4–0 in the first round.
2012: Sixth Man Role
In the 2012 season, Gordon Hayward mainly came off the bench as a sixth man, but averaged a career high in points per game (11.8).
2013: Emergence as Jazz's Offensive Threat
After the departure of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson during the 2013 offseason, Gordon Hayward emerged as the Jazz's new offensive threat.
January 7, 2014: Career-High 37 Points
On January 7, 2014, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 37 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
July 10, 2014: Received Offer from Hornets
On July 10, 2014, Gordon Hayward received a four-year, $63 million maximum contract offer from the Charlotte Hornets.
July 12, 2014: Jazz Matched Hornets Offer
On July 12, 2014, the Jazz matched the Charlotte Hornets' offer sheet, re-signing Gordon Hayward.
November 14, 2014: Season-High 33 Points
On November 14, 2014, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 33 points in a 102–100 win over the New York Knicks.
2014: Marriage to Robyn Van Vliet
In 2014, Gordon Hayward married Robyn Van Vliet, marking a significant event in his personal life.
2014: Finalist for FIBA Basketball World Cup Team
In 2014, Gordon Hayward was selected as a finalist for the United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team, but he did not make the final 12-man roster.
2015: Birth of First Daughter
In 2015, Gordon Hayward and his wife, Robyn Van Vliet, welcomed their first daughter into the world.
2015: Career High in Points Per Game
In 2015, Gordon Hayward averaged a career high in points per game.
January 18, 2016: Season-High 36 Points
On January 18, 2016, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 124–119 double overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
October 7, 2016: Fractured Finger
On October 7, 2016, Gordon Hayward suffered a fracture of the fourth finger on his left hand.
2016: Birth of Second Daughter
In 2016, Gordon Hayward and his wife, Robyn Van Vliet, celebrated the birth of their second daughter.
2016: Olympic Team Finalist and Withdrawal
In 2016, Gordon Hayward was named a finalist for the United States Olympic team but withdrew his name from selection due to "family obligations".
January 26, 2017: NBA All-Star Selection
On January 26, 2017, Gordon Hayward was selected to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.
February 9, 2017: Season-High 36 Points
On February 9, 2017, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 112–105 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
March 2, 2017: Career-High 38 Points
On March 2, 2017, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 38 points in a 107–100 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
April 7, 2017: New Career High of 39 Points
On April 7, 2017, Gordon Hayward set a new career high, scoring 39 points in a 120–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
April 21, 2017: Career-High 40 Points in Playoffs
On April 21, 2017, in Game 3 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in a 111–106 loss.
July 4, 2017: Announced Signing with Celtics
On July 4, 2017, Gordon Hayward announced that he would sign with the Boston Celtics.
October 17, 2017: Suffered Season-Ending Injury
On October 17, 2017, Gordon Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg less than six minutes into the Celtics' regular-season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
2017: NBA All-Star and Signed with the Celtics
In 2017, Gordon Hayward was selected to the NBA All-Star Game during his seven seasons with the Jazz. In the 2017 offseason, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics.
March 2018: Second Surgery
In March 2018, Gordon Hayward needed a second surgery on his injured leg.
October 2018: Riot Games Animated Commercial
In October 2018, League of Legends developer Riot Games released an animated commercial to support Gordon Hayward's recovery from an ankle injury.
October 16, 2018: First Game Since Injury
On October 16, 2018, Gordon Hayward played in his first regular season game since the ankle injury, recording 10 points and five rebounds.
December 1, 2018: Season-High 30 Points
On December 1, 2018, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 30 points in a 118–109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2018: Endorsement Deal with Anta
In 2018, Gordon Hayward signed an endorsement deal with Anta, a Chinese sports footwear and apparel company, which included the debut of a signature shoe line.
2018: Advertisements for Unilever
In 2018, Gordon Hayward was featured in advertisements for Unilever's men's bodycare products during the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
January 2, 2019: New Season-High 35 Points
On January 2, 2019, Gordon Hayward set a new season-high with 35 points in a 115–102 win over the Timberwolves.
August 9, 2019: Honorary Lifetime Contract for Hupu
On August 9, 2019, Gordon Hayward signed an honorary lifetime contract for Hupu, a Chinese League of Legend Teams, as its midlaner.
November 5, 2019: Matched Career High of 39 Points
On November 5, 2019, Gordon Hayward matched his regular-season career high with 39 points in a 119–116 win over the Cavaliers.
December 9, 2019: Returned From Injury
On December 9, 2019, Gordon Hayward returned from injury against the Cavaliers.
2019: Birth of Third Daughter
In 2019, Gordon Hayward and his wife, Robyn Van Vliet, welcomed their third daughter.
August 17, 2020: Grade 3 Ankle Sprain
On August 17, 2020, Gordon Hayward was injured with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain after improperly landing on teammate Daniel Theis' foot.
November 2020: Traded to Charlotte Hornets
In November 2020, Gordon Hayward was traded by the Celtics to the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade agreement.
November 29, 2020: Signed and Traded to Hornets
On November 29, 2020, Gordon Hayward was signed by the Celtics to a four-year, $120 million deal and then traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
December 23, 2020: Hornets Debut
On December 23, 2020, Gordon Hayward made his Hornets debut, putting up 28 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.
2020: Birth of Son During NBA Bubble
In 2020, Gordon Hayward and his wife, Robyn Van Vliet, had their first son while Hayward was participating in the NBA Bubble.
December 5, 2021: Season-High 41 Points
On December 5, 2021, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 41 points in a 131–115 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
February 7, 2022: Ankle Injury
On February 7, 2022, Gordon Hayward suffered an ankle injury in a 101–116 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
July 2022: Joined Chess.com as Streaming Partner
In July 2022, Gordon Hayward became a streaming partner with Chess.com under the username "gdhayward" on Twitch, showcasing his interest in chess.
November 3, 2022: Shoulder Contusion
On November 3, 2022, the Hornets announced that Gordon Hayward had suffered a left shoulder contusion and would be out indefinitely.
January 2023: Left Hamstring Soreness
In January 2023, Gordon Hayward missed eight games due to left hamstring soreness.
February 24, 2023: Season-Highs in Points and Rebounds
On February 24, 2023, Gordon Hayward recorded season-highs of 27 points and 13 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2023: Release of "Notice to Quit"
In 2023, Gordon Hayward's production company, Whiskey Creek Productions, released its first feature film, "Notice to Quit", a drama starring Michael Zegen, with Hayward as an executive producer.
February 8, 2024: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
On February 8, 2024, Gordon Hayward was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
August 1, 2024: Retirement Announcement
On August 1, 2024, Gordon Hayward announced his retirement from professional basketball.
2024: Conversion to Catholicism
In 2024, Gordon Hayward became Catholic, a conversion he publicly marked in Rome with Archbishop Timothy Broglio.
