2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster
Roster

Jersey Number 23
PJ Hayes IV
- Position:
- Guard / Forward
- Height:
- 6-6
- Weight:
- 215
- Class:
- Fifth Year
- Hometown:
- Waconia, Minn.
- High School:
- Waconia High School
PJ Hayes, joins the Scarlet Knights for his fifth collegiate season after an impressive scoring season at San Diego University. A gifted three-point shooter, Hayes brings four years of college basketball experience and a proven track record of success to Rutgers.
- Seen action in 23 games (one start), averaging 2.9 points in 11 minutes per game
- Scored 12 points vs. Wagner (Nov. 6) in season opener
- Posted 11 points against Monmouth (Nov. 15)
- Started against Notre Dame (Nov. 26)
- As a junior, Hayes averaged 10.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, starting all 32 contests.
- Ranked first on his team in three-point shooting with 73 makes at a .397 percentage, and second in free throw percentage at 79.1%.
- Achieved a career-high 33 points against Portland, marking him as one of the top scorers in the WCC.
- Over three seasons, averaged 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 42.8% from three-point range.
- During his junior season, started all 32 games, averaging 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, ranking third in the RMAC with 81 three-pointers in a season.
- Honored as a 2022-23 All RMAC Honorable Mention and named to the RMAC All-Academic First Team.
- Attended Waconia High School in Minnesota, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,990 points.
- Averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in his senior season, leading his team to a 22-4 record and a conference championship.
- Recognized as First Team All-Conference and received accolades such as Section 6 Player of the Year.
- PJ is pursuing his degree at Rutgers and is eager to contribute to the Scarlet Knights’ success.
- He has shredded off 20 pounds since arriving on campus in June.
- In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, playing the piano and ukulele, and video games.
- PJ earned himself the nickname “3J” due to his remarkable three-point shooting.
- “We are excited to officially welcome P.J. Hayes to The Knighthood. We are adding another great student-athlete, from a great family, who can shoot the basketball. P.J. is a player who has shown the ability to hit nine three-pointers in a game and he can pass it as well. I love the basketball journey that he's taken, and I am proud to add another elite student-athlete to our program."
- “He’s got as quick of a release as any player that we’ve had here. And he makes shots. We’ve had shot-takers in the past; he’s a shot-maker.”
- “[Rutgers nation] might’ve gotten a little taste of my antics from celebrating at the scrimmage we had a couple of weeks ago, so I’m hyped up, I like to throw up the three-point sign, hype the crowd up, my teammates and stuff, so I’m going to bring the energy and I'm excited for Rutgers fans to throw it right back at me.”
Steve Pikiell Podcast: Seton Hall Week, Fan Questions
Thursday, December 11
Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Purdue
Wednesday, December 03
Rutgers Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Notre Dame
Tuesday, November 25
Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Central Connecticut State University
Saturday, November 22






















