Basketball players like any other athlete are prone to embarrassment a bit more than your average person. After all, they spend a lot of time in front of cameras. Be it while playing on the court or off the court, especially during press conferences.
Former forward of the Wisconsin Badgers, Nigel Hayes, is certainly aware of that. We are sure at one point or another you must have heard Hayes’ name on social media. Sadly, it wasn’t due to his amazing performances in the league. In fact, he went undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft.
Anyway, we are talking about the 2015 interview where Hayes was caught on camera admiring the beauty of a woman present at the press conference. Unfortunately, the then 20-year-old wasn’t aware of the fact that the microphone in front of him was already on.
Thus, he was caught whispering to his teammate Frank Kaminsky, “Gosh, she’s beautiful”. Upon hearing this, the entire room let out sympathetic laughter, which led to Hayes asking if everyone had heard what he said.
When the audience reply was a resounding yes, it was a head-in-the-hands moment for him, but in an embarrassing manner.
Although the incident took place back in 2015, fans remember it even today. Fortunately for Hayes, fans love his innocence in the video and simply admire him for being very sweet.
The woman in question in the above-mentioned video was confirmed to be ASAP Sports stenographer Debra Bollman.
Although Debra turned out to be a mom of three and actually engaged to another person, Hayes still met her and the two clicked a wholesome image.
Love this! @NIGEL_HAYES meets stenographer @debrabollman after @badgermbb win. #marchmadness @asapsports #onwisconsin pic.twitter.com/qZdPEE1IqR
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) March 29, 2015
That was the case of how a sensitive mic gave fans one of the most wholesome moments seen during a press conference.
Maybe if Hayes makes a comeback to the NBA, he can give us another real and beautiful moment. Until then, you can always watch Hayes’ 2015 press conference.
