The amount of talent to come over to the United States by way of Australia and leave an imprint on the college basketball scene has continued to become stronger and in heavier amounts. This upcoming season, the face of college basketball could be of Australian forward and LSU freshman, Ben Simmons. Every school is looking to extinguish every avenue in finding the best talent that they can get ahold of. Enter Kieran Hayward.

Hayward played out a few weeks in July with his AUSA Hoops squad. Standing at 6-foot-5, he already has a pretty solid physique and will be graduating from his local school this winter. The plan at the moment is for Hayward to take official visits in November and December, commit shortly thereafter, train in the spring, and then attend a college come the fall of 2016.

What does Hayward do on the floor that might make him worthy of college interest and offers? First and foremost, the Aussie guard is a playmaker on the floor. He has deceptive athleticism at the basket, capable of throwing down dunks over big men in the lane while also facilitating for his teammates as a jumbo lead guard. His jumper is accurate with his feet set and he can hit contested all the way out to 22-feet away from the basket. With great size, a feel for the game, and a broad range of contributing skills with the ball in his hands, Hayward is becoming a name overseas.

“I just got some more offers from Arizona State, Eastern Kentucky and Utah Valley.”

“The other schools that I am hearing from off the top of my head are Butler, Valparaiso, St. Joe’s, Fairfield, Rider, UIC, and Loyola.”

However, that all changed on Thursday morning as the LSU Tigers dished out an offer to the Australian guard. Asked on his initial thoughts, and Hayward was more than excited about what it could lead to. "Man, I don't even know how to approach everything! In saying that, I am so grateful and ecstatic about these opportunities but I just have to see what happens"

While a half-a-world away, Hayward seems to have a decent feel for the program that is home to another Australian star in Ben Simmons. "I actually know quite a bit about them. I got to meet the whole team when they came to Australia a few weeks ago and saw how they play. It was a great experience and I am always open to learn more."

Fairfield, Rider, and St. Joe’s are the other three programs that have offered the playmaking guard and it seems that more are about to enter the fold, especially once the college coaches are able to travel overseas in a few weeks to check out the sleeper senior during his open gyms and practices. In the meantime, Hayward has been diligently working on several facets of his game. “Strength has been my primary focus. I started going to the gym three times a week lately and working on my defense.”

“I have been getting shots up as usual and working on my handle. Just a bit of everything but primarily focusing on strength.”

With a plethora of ball skills at his fingertips, Hayward is pretty excited about where he can be down the road. Playing at the highest level in the United States has always been a dream of the Sydney native as Hayward has an outline of what he is looking for with his college home. “I want the most development and exposure possible. I feel like wherever I go I will need to earn my minutes so why not go to the best school I'm capable of going to?”

“But in saying that, I'm also going to take into account what school will be the best fit, chemistry wise, and with the coaching staff. There's a ton of variables but I’ll just have to see what happens in the near future.”

 A very intellectual, though-provoking student of the game, Hayward mentioned that the visits that he will take this fall and winter will be very important when he does select his home for the next few years, a home that is a half-a-world away. Regardless, Hayward seems to be the next in line in becoming another Australian to travel over the waters and make a name for himself on a college playing floor.