EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball Coach Stan Gouard announced the signing of 6-foot-6 senior guard Lance "LA" Hayes for the 2026-27 season.
 
Hayes joins 6-9 sophomore guard Ebrahim Kaba in signing with the Screaming Eagles for the upcoming season.
 
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Hayes comes to the Screaming Eagles from the University of Texas-El Paso, where he played in 28 games a year ago. 
 
In 2025-26, Hayes scored 4.1 points and grabbed 1.7 rebounds per game. He reached double-figures in the scoring column six times, including a season-high tying 13 points in the Miners' 78-71 win over Kennesaw State University.
 
Prior to UTEP, Hayes spent the 2024-25 season at Frank Phillips College (Texas), where he earned first-team All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference honors after averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
 
His efforts, which included a career-high 31-point outing against South Plains College (1/27/25), helped the Plainsmen to their first appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament since 1958.
 
Hayes began his collegiate career in 2023-24 at Kent State University, where he played in 13 games during his freshman season.
 
Prior to his collegiate career, Hayes graduated from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio), which is the former high school of LeBron James. During his prep career, Hayes helped the Fighting Irish wine back-to-back DII state championships.
 
His high school playing career was highlighted by the 2022 championship contest, which saw him finish with 11 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists. He also had a 33-point effort against national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy and averaged 13.6 points while earning honorable mention All-State honors as a junior.