Notre Dame basketball coach Muffet McGraw projects Riverdale's Alasia Hayes as point guard

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Versatility was one of the first things that Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw saw in Riverdale's Alasia Hayes.

It's that versatility that has McGraw projecting Hayes to be a point guard for the Fighting Irish.

"We have a lot of combo-type guards that can handle the ball or play the wing," said McGraw, who coached Notre Dame to a 2018 national championship before finishing runner-up last season. "(Hayes) is somebody, with her speed and ability to defend, that I can see (running the point)."

Hayes, who signed with Notre Dame Wednesday after committing to the Fighting Irish in late September, hasn't played a lot of point guard in her high school career, mainly because she played behind two sisters (Anastasia and Aislynn) who had the position locked up during her early years.

"Sometimes we bring (freshmen) in at the 2 and let them get used to things without a lot of pressure on the point guard to make a lot of decisions," said McGraw. "Just getting her on the court with the more veteran players and moving her over to the point ... I can see that. She can come in and play the 2 as well."

Hayes, a first-team all-area selection last season, averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in leading Riverdale to the Class AAA state semifinals. 

The 5-foot-7 guard is listed as the No. 44 player in the nation (14th at her position) in the 2020 class by ESPN. She was named all-state by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and second-team All-Tennessee by USA Today after her junior season.

She said she "fell in love with Notre Dame" after an official visit. McGraw liked everything she saw in Hayes as well.

"She can make people around her better," McGraw said. "If you make a mistake, she can make you pay for it. Those are two intangible things a point guard has to have. ... We're absolutely thrilled."

Riverdale's Alasia Hayes signs with Notre Dame basketball, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at Riverdale. Pictured with Alasia is (left to right) her father Arnett, mother Sherry and sister Acacia.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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