Butler University Athletics

Butler Athletics Hall of Famer and 14-year NBA standout Gordon Hayward provides additional leadership within the Bulldog men's basketball program in the role of Executive Basketball Advisor. The newly-created position began in October of 2025. 
 
Hayward will volunteer his time, working alongside head coach Thad Matta, General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Tony Bollier, and Vice President/Director of Athletics Grant Leiendecker on the program's highest-level initiatives. Hayward will lean on his NBA experience to advise on talent evaluation and recruitment, player development, and team culture. He will serve in a mentorship role to student-athletes within the program, focusing on leadership and professional development.
 
"We are thrilled to formally engage Gordon with Butler Basketball in this new role," said Leiendecker, who was a teammate of Hayward's during his two seasons with the Bulldogs.  "Gordon's 14-year NBA career speaks for itself — he's competed against the best players in the world at the highest level of the game, learned from some of the best minds in basketball, and experienced what it takes to succeed as a professional. That wealth of knowledge, combined with his deep connection to Butler, makes him uniquely positioned to have an immediate and meaningful impact on our program. His leadership, insight, and passion for this place will be invaluable as we continue to build the future of Butler Basketball. This program owes Gordon a lot and it's really meaningful that he is giving back to Butler Basketball once again, sharing his time and talents."
 
"There were a lot of people who were instrumental in my development on and off the court during my time at Butler, and I'm excited to give back to the program by helping today's Bulldogs in a similar way," said Hayward. "I look forward to building relationships with the staff and our current and future Bulldogs in order to positively impact the program that I care deeply about."
 
"Gordon is on a very short list of the individuals who have meant the most to Butler University over the years," said Matta. "It's been incredible to have him and his family around the program more over the last few years and I'm excited he's taking on this role and helping us to shape the impact he can have on all aspects of our program. Any time you can deepen the relationship with one of the greatest ever to wear the uniform, it's a huge win for your program."
 
Hayward, who was inducted into the Butler Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, retired from the NBA in 2024 after a successful 14-year career. Drafted by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft after leading Butler to the national championship game, Hayward would average 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during his professional career. He was an All-Star in 2017 with Utah before signing with the Boston Celtics and his former Butler coach Brad Stevens as a free agent that summer. Following his seven seasons in Utah, he spent three seasons in Boston, three full seasons in Charlotte, and split his final 2023-24 season between Charlotte and Oklahoma City.
 
Hayward starred at Butler for two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10) before starting his successful NBA career. Hayward was selected as the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA West Regional in 2010, leading the Bulldogs to the program's first Final Four appearance. At the Final Four, he was chosen as a member of the All-Tournament Team. He earned All-Horizon League first-team honors in each of his two seasons and was the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year. In just two seasons, he scored 992 points and had 512 rebounds. Hayward earned Academic All-America third-team honors in 2009-10.