Butler Basketball: All-Decade Team for the Dawgs of the 2010s

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Matt Howard #54, Ronald Nored #5, Shelvin Mack #1 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrate after defeating the Murray State Racers 54-52 in the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 20, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS – APRIL 03: Hayward of the Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Gordon Hayward (2009-2010)

Gordon Hayward only played one season during this past decade but it was memorable enough to land him a spot in the starting lineup here. After starting every single game as a superb freshman during the 2008-09 season (not included in the decade), the 6-foot-8 forward really took his game to the next level as a sophomore.

His 3-point shooting fell off a bit but he still managed to post 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during his second season while being named the Horizon League Player of the Year.

Although an overlooked recruit out of high school, Hayward’s impact on the Butler program in his two years is undeniable. He was selected to the All-Horizon League First Team in both seasons and was a major reason for the Dawgs’ run to the 2010 national title game. Of course, his final collegiate shot is perhaps the “what if” in basketball history (the missed half-court heave) but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that he was a sensational player that helped take the program to the next level.

The “Baby-Faced Assassin” is perhaps the most well-known Dawg of the 2010s and definitely earned a spot on this team. He was named an AP Honorable Mention All-American as a sophomore before declaring for the NBA Draft, where he was selected with the ninth overall pick. Hayward has had a very strong career at the professional level that includes one appearance in the NBA All-Star Game (2017).