2025’s Jai’Chaunn Hayes Impressed by Hogs Last Weekend

When it comes to Arkansas Basketball, there is a lot of in-state talent gaining national attention these days. In my eyes, one of the more intriguing prospects in the state of Arkansas is 2025’s Jai’Chaunn Hayes.

When I asked Jai how he would describe himself as a player, he gave an extremely thoughtful response:

“I’d describe myself as a leader. An uplifting teammate and a player that knows how to play the right way. I’ve become a skilled scorer that can play 1-4 and can guard 1-5, if needed. I love to meet any challenges my coach will give me and just compete.”

Hayes is a 6’8 guard who can bring the ball down court, catch and shoot, and crash the glass. As a sophomore for White Hall, Hayes averaged 27 pts, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block per game. Good enough to earn him first team All-State and All-Conference, and a lot of D-I interest – including an offer from Coach Musselman and the Razorbacks.

Jai made the trip to Fayetteville last weekend for an unofficial visit with the Hogs and sat down with me to talk about the visit, his overall recruiting process, and how family comes into his thought process throughout it all.

Jai’Chaunn Hayes, 2025 Prospect, On His Time in Fayetteville

AC: First and foremost, how was your unofficial visit to Arkansas? What were some highlights?

Jai: My trip was fun and I’m just glad I finally was able to meet everyone at Arkansas up close. The key breakaways were the energy between the players in and out of practice, the resources the school has to produce pros, and the amount of time everyone invests into everything

AC: How was it being on campus with Coach Muss? Did you enjoy the game day Saturday experience on the visit?

Jai: Coach Muss was cool and had good energy. I like the way he conducts practice and makes everything game like. The campus was filled with good energy and everyone came together to support the hogs. The fans are electric and being there made me feel all of the energy I’ve always heard about.

AC: If you had to pick one thing, what was your favorite part of the trip?

Jai: The photo shoot and really being informed on all the info I never knew about Arkansas.

AC: Any plans for being on campus again in the future?

Jai: I’ve talked to the coaches about coming back during the basketball season a few times.

AC: I know your offers are starting to trickle in and I expect many more to come in next two years. Who would you say has been most active in recruiting you?

Jai: Arkansas, Ole Miss and Texas A&M have been the most active in my recruitment. Arkansas is the most active, there’s either two or three coaches that text me every other day

AC: When considering the schools showing love, what are you looking for in your process?

Jai: The things I look for when trying to consider while picking a college is a family feel, preparing me the most for the next level, transparency, and being able to put me into the best positions as a man and as a player.

AC: Your Dad went to an SEC school out of Parkview, does that have any impact on your evaluation process when considering offers?

Jai: Definitely. Since my dad was a D1 athlete and a prospect, he really informs me with his own knowledge, stories, and advice so I can make the best decision when the time comes.

AC: With your Dad coaching your team at White Hall, what are your expectations for your Junior season? ⁃

Jai: We’re trying to win 20 or more games this season, make the state tournament, and be a serious contender this year. We want to prove everyone wrong that has continued to doubt us.

AC: Growing up around the game with a Dad as a Coach, do you have any players past or present that you look up to? Any that you try to model your game after?

Jai: Really, I look up to a lot of my Dad’s old players from eStem (Jake Sanders, Ed Dailey, Rashawn Langston, Cordarius Bracy, Dylan Sewell) but as far as pros go, I love to study and watch Cade Cunningham or Paul George.

Jai’Chaunn scored 40 or more points six times as a sophomore, and it’s safe to say there will be more of those in his high school career. He currently holds offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Missouri, and others, with several major D-I programs showing interest. Arkansas fans are hopeful that we may see Hayes in Razorback Red in a few years.