After just one season in Austin, former Texas center Jaxson Hayes was selected eighth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

In his freshman season at Texas, Hayes averaged 10.0 points, five rebounds and 2.2 blocks in just under 25 minutes per contest.

Despite being a lottery pick, Hayes didn’t start a single high school game until his senior year of high school.

"This has all been really crazy,” Hayes said to ESPN’s Maria Taylor shortly after being drafted. “Two years ago today, I was on a high school team hardly playing. Now I'm a lottery pick."

With an elite 7-foot-4 wingspan, Hayes will be joining first overall pick Zion Williamson in the Pelicans frontcourt.

Hayes was projected to go 10th overall by many outlets. However, he moved up due to a trade between New Orleans and Atlanta.

The Pelicans traded the fourth pick to the Hawks for the eight pick, 17th pick and other assets, and took the second team All-Big 12 player.

He became the eighth lottery pick produced by the Texas program since the start of the 2000s.