Hayward’s NBA debut

Gordon Hayward, the first player out of Butler in the NBA since the 1950s, made his debut in the league Thursday night. Yes, the 20-year-old rookie played for the Utah Jazz in the summer league and this was an exhibition, but it was a milestone nonetheless.

Hayward scored nine points in a team-high 28 minutes as the Jazz held off the Portland Trail Blazers 100-96 at Salt Lake  City. In the plus/minus points category (how a team fared when a player is in the game), Hayward was minus-12.

He was 2-of-5 from the field, 1-of-2 on 3s and 4-of-4 on free throws. He had two rebounds, one assist, two fouls and two turnovers.