Ex-All-Star, two-time UConn champ Tiffany Hayes retires from WNBA

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th December, 16:10 2023

Oct 1, 2023; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Tiffany Hayes (15) reacts after her three point basket against the New York Liberty in the first half during game four of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. credits: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Former All-Star guard Tiffany Hayes announced her retirement from the WNBA on Wednesday after playing 11 seasons.

Hayes also was part of two national championship teams (2009, 2010) during her college career at UConn from 2008-12.

Hayes averaged 13.6 points in 317 WNBA games with the Atlanta Dream (2012-19, 2021-22) and Connecticut Sun (2023). She opted out of the 2020 season.

Hayes, 34, made the announcement on the 'Counted Me Out' podcast.

"It's a lot of things. I really feel like I'm older now," Hayes said. "I got a lot of stuff that I really always want to get into but I'm so busy 'cause I'm playing year-round.

"Plus, my body, playing 11 seasons straight with no breaks, every year, two seasons in a year every time, that's a lot."

Hayes was an All-Star when she averaged 16.3 points in 2017. The following season, she averaged a career-high 17.2 points.

Last year, she averaged 12.1 points in 40 games in her lone season with the Sun.

Hayes is currently playing for Shanghai of the Chinese Women's Basketball Association and didn't rule out continuing to play overseas, where salaries are typically higher than the WNBA.

At UConn, Hayes averaged 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 154 games. She was a second-round pick (14th overall) by the Dream in 2012.

—Field Level Media