Wisconsin Badgers

OVERVIEW
Hayden Jones represents one of four international players on UW's 2025-26 roster, hailing from New Zealand as a true freshman. The 18-year-old Kiwi brings unique experience, becoming the fourth-youngest debutante in New Zealand Senior Team history in February 2024 ... Played for the Nelson Giants in the Australian NBL ... father, Phill, played 22 seasons of professional basketball with the NBL's Nelson Giants (21 seasons) and Finnish club Kouvot (1998-99), including international ball with current UW Special Assistant Kirk Penney

NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE 
Played for the Nelson Giants in the Australian NBL … posted a team-high 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds through 7 games for fourth-place New Zealand Under-19s at the 2025 U19 FIBA World Cup ... averaged 2.9 points and 1.3 assists in 2024 with the Giants 

INTERNATIONAL
Averaged a team-high 14.6 points across seven games at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, leading New Zealand to a fourth-place showing, the country's best finish ever at the tournament ... also notched 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game at the tournament... became the fourth-youngest debutante for New Zealand’s men’s national team at 17-years-old in February 2024 … averaged 11.6 points and 2.7 assists, helping New Zealand Under-17s to a fourth-place finish at the 2024 U17 World Cup … served as team captain for New Zealand at the New Zealand Foot Locker U18 Nationals en route to MVP honors … posted 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists during New Zealand’s runner up finish at the 2023 U16 Asian Championship  … named to the All-Star 5 at the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship

PERSONAL
Son of Kat and Phill Jones ... father, Phill, played 22 seasons of professional basketball with the NBL's Nelson Giants (21 seasons) and Finnish club Kouvot (1998-99), including international ball with current UW Special Assistant Kirk Penney ... sister, Maia, plays shooting guard at St. Mary's, averaging 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2 assists across 59 games in two seasons ... also played rugby at Waimea College, lining up at centre, lock and wing