The San Diego Rockets and the Houston Mavericks both selected him. Hayes debuted in the NBA in 1968 with the San Diego Rockets, when he led the league in scoring with 28.4 points per game, averaged 17.1 rebounds per game, and was chosen to the NBA All-Rookie Team. He played for Houston from 1969 to 1971, when he joined the Seattle SuperSonics. In 1972, he signed with the Boston Celtics, but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers before appearing in a game for them. He finished his career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973. He was born on January 4th, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother died when he was young, and he lived with his father, a construction worker. At an early age, he showed an interest in basketball, and at 13 years old he started playing in neighborhood tournaments. After graduating from high school, he attended Temple University, where he stood out as one of the best college players ever. In 1967, after only one season, the San Diego Rockets drafted him with the third overall pick. That same year, the Milwaukee Bucks selected John Havlicek with the first overall pick, and the Chicago Bulls took Bill Walton with the second pick. It proved to be a good decision, as Hayes became one of the best scorers in NBA history. In 1970, he led the league in scoring again with 29.0 points per game while also averaging 12.6 rebounds per game.