Jillian Hayes to Return for Fifth Year with Women’s Basketball

University of Cincinnati women's basketball forward Jillian Hayes will utilize her fifth year of eligibility and return to Cincinnati for the 2024-25 season.

Jillian Hayes to Return for Fifth Year with Women’s BasketballJillian Hayes to Return for Fifth Year with Women’s Basketball
CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball forward Jillian Hayes will utilize her fifth year of eligibility and return to Cincinnati for the 2024-25 season.
 
The Cincinnati native started all 32 games this season, leading the Bearcats in points (12.9), rebounds (8.4) and steals (1.2). She was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. 

Hayes tallied 10+ points in 26 contests and poured in 20+ points in three contests overall. She recorded 10 double-doubles for the second straight season, becoming the first Bearcat to do so since Doris Scott in 1997-99.
 
In Cincinnati's record books, Hayes ranks third in blocks (127), fourth in free throws made (403), fifth in rebounds (844), t-seventh in rebounding average (7.4), eighth in steals (183) and 14th in scoring (1,299). Her 159 free throws in 2023-24 rank third for a single season in program history. 

Hayes will use her extra year of eligibility, returning to Clifton as the final year of COVID-19 exemption granted by the NCAA.