FROM ALDERSON BROADDUS UNIVERSITY

 

Four years ago, Jordan Haywood stepped foot on the campus of Alderson Broaddus University not knowing what his future held. The Bridgeport native and Bridgeport High School alum had a very successful high school career for the Indians and hoped that he could do the same one day at AB.

 

Following high school graduation in 2013, Haywood committed to AB to play basketball alongside his high school teammate Tyler Sprouse after being recruited by AB much of his senior season.

 

"I talked to Duncan (Williams) a couple times during my senior year of high school," said Haywood. "They came to a couple games as well as the game at Phillip Barbour. Tyler (Sprouse) came here with me and that was a big reason why I came, because we were roommates, so we came here together. It was a big reason why I came there but it is also close to home just 30 minutes down the road."

 

Upon coming to AB in 2013, Haywood played in 12 games his freshman year and 13 games his sophomore season in a limited role.

That didn't deter him in any way as he fought hard every day to become a better basketball player.

 

"I really appreciate Jordan and he's been here the last four years after coming out of Bridgeport," said head coach Greg Zimmerman. "He came in here as a walk-on and never realized how good he might get for us. When he got his opportunity the last couple years, he has really done well."

 

Last season, Jordan played in 24 games for the Battlers and started in 15 of them. After seeing limited time earlier in the season, he saw his role improve upon injuries and other obstacles that the Battlers had to face.

 

"I was always anxious to play," said Haywood. "I expected initially to get some playing time but I never expected to get as much playing time last year, but with injuries, I figured I would get that kind of time."

 

Midway through last season, AB's starting point guard Malcolm Tatum went down with an injury causing him to miss most of the rest of the season. Upon that happening, Haywood knew that it was his time.

 

"The thing I like about Jordan, as much as any kid I've got here, is that he comes every day to practices and never makes an excuse," said Zimmerman. "You always know what you're going to get from him and he's going to give you all he got. Some games he's really shot the ball well for us and he always is in the right offensive position. He's a great kid, has a great family, and I'm very glad he is here playing for us." 

 

This year, he has started in 16 of AB's 22 games and has been a vital part in the Battlers' 11-11 record on the season. He is averaging 8.5 points per game and finished with a career-high of 25 points and 10 rebounds at Ohio Valley on Feb. 2. From behind the arc, Haywood is shooting as well as any player on the team and in the G-MAC as he is 40 percent and has a single-season high of 38 three's this season. 

 

"It has really been a lot of working in practice and being confident always," said Haywood of his game. "That is really where it all comes from."

 

As an athlete that joined AB as a walk-on really didn't know what to expect, Haywood has had a fantastic career for the men's basketball program. He currently sits at 397 career points with all but 25 of them coming in his final two seasons. The success that he has had on the court as well as off the court as an accounting major is something that his coaching staff loves to see to set an example for the rest of the team.

 

"Jordan, Manny (Imanol Artinano and Sanar (Shamdeen), are three walk-ons that stayed four years for us," said Zimmerman. "They are the only ones who have stayed more than two years. That says a lot about them and their character. Sometimes they get big minutes and sometimes they don't but those three guys have all contributed, especially the last three years. All three of them are on track to graduate on time too."

 

Tonight, the Battlers will be hosting the 14th ranked team in the country in Kentucky Wesleyan. The Battlers have six games to go in the regular season before the G-MAC tournament on March 2 through March 4.

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom photos of Jordan Haywood in high school by www.benqueenphotography.com. Middle photo of Haywood courtesy of Alderson Broaddus.