Cincinnati Basketball: Jillian Hayes continues to adjust to offseason position change

Jillian Hayes has spent most of her time playing on the perimeter since joining the team but is expected to start at power forward this season. After leading the Bearcats in points and rebounds last year, Hayes will look to have similar success at a new position.

Despite struggling to compete in conference play on a consistent basis, Hayes was one of the few bright spots for the Bearcats. The Cincinnati native scored a team-best 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in 28 appearances last year.

Prior to her junior season at Cincinnati, the coaching staff decided to move Hayes to the frontcourt with a guard-heavy rotation. Hayes will have to adjust to a different position but her elite perimeter skills and quickness should translate to the post as well.

Cincinnati Basketball: Jillian Hayes adjusting to offseason position change

During media day this week, Michelle Clark-Heard mentioned that Hayes worked every single day to improve and transform her body in order to switch positions this offseason. The Bearcats are scheduled to start the season at Louisville in early November.

It’s definitely not going to be an easy transition but the junior forward seems up for the challenge. Hayes discussed the difficulty of changing positions at the recent conference media day via Cincinnati Athletics.

"“Transitioning to the four, I’ve just worked on being more consistent, really listening to my coaches and allow them to guide me through this new position. We have a great strength coach so the way she has helped guide us, not only physically in the weight room and through conditioning, but also eating the right things. It definitely translates to the court. You feel better and have more energy so all of that has definitely helped. Just improving whatever the coaches and team need from me this season. Obviously our goal is to dominate and win so whatever that may look like is what I’ll do.”"