If you’ve ever seen Jaxson Hayes throw down a monstrous dunk, you’ve probably wondered: Where does all that athleticism even come from? Spoiler alert: it’s totally a family thing. His parents were both stars in their own lanes, and the family tree is basically just filled with sports trophies at this point.
From his formative years in Oklahoma to his growth in the NBA limelight, Jaxson’s tale is of talent and hustle being deep-seated in the bloodline. Let’s find the scoop on the Hayes family because, trust us, it’s worth the read.
Jaxson Hayes was born to two absolute legends — Jonathan Hayes and Kristi (Kinne) Hayes. And no, we’re not just throwing that term around casually. Both of them were big-time athletes way before Jaxson ever stepped on a court. His dad, Jonathan, crushed it in the NFL for over a decade. Meanwhile, his mom, Kristi, was lighting up the college basketball world.
Pretty much explains why Jaxson can jump out of the gym, right? Jaxson’s family is American through and through. A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Jaxson later relocated with his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, as a toddler, paving the way for the next installment of the Hayes athletic saga.
Let’s discuss Kristi Hayes, the first bucket-getter of the family. Kristi had college basketball stints at Drake University, and she balled out. She was good, like really good, on a level that she received an honorable mention by the Kodak All-American award and bagged the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year for her final play.
She scored over 3,000 points throughout her high school career as well, which is basically superhero figures. Following college, Kristi remained close to the game and went on to assume the role of mentoring and coaching young players and teaching them just how it’s done! But the bottom line here? Jaxson didn’t inherit just his mom’s height; he inherited her baller mindset as well.
And then there’s Jonathan Hayes. An NFL-certified veteran tight end and one of the hard-hitting tight ends ever to play. Jonathan played 12 years in the league, dividing time between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Once his playing career was done, he traded his helmet for a headset and became a well-respected coach, most notably as the tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals for over a decade.
Oh, and a brief aside — although he did indeed coach the St. Louis Battlehawks during the XFL’s 202 season, he is currently the Athletic Director at Moller High School. Still pulling the strings, just in a different venue. Safe to say, leadership and athletic IQ are essential family rituals in the Hayes clan.
Who Are Jaxson Hayes’ Siblings?
The Hayes family isn’t just about Jaxson; it’s a full starting lineup over there. Jaxson has three siblings: Jillian, Jewett, and Jonah. And surprise, surprise, they’re just as athletic. Jillian Hayes played college hoops at the University of Cincinnati, continuing the family’s hoop tradition. She’s been a presence for the Bearcats, bringing that same combination of toughness and talent that appears to be a standard in this family.
Jewett Hayes, on the other hand, went the football path like his dad. He plays college football at the University of Toledo, working hard out on the defensive line. And though little is known about Jonah yet, if history is any guide, it is only a matter of time before he makes his headlines. If you were curious about how Jaxson Hayes turned into a high-flying, rim-wrecking machine, well, now you know.
It’s not simply natural talent. But it’s years of greatness pouring straight through the family genes. From NFL fields to college hoops. The Hayes family had been piling up wins long before Jaxson slammed his first dunk. So the next time you see him satirizing someone on your screen, just keep in mind, he’s not just built differently. He’s built Hayes differently.
