Nigel Hayes-Davis joins Phoenix Suns: EuroLeague Final Four MVP finally in NBA

Nigel Hayes-Davis (6’8″, 30), crowned European champion with Fenerbahçe and named EuroLeague Final Four MVP, is returning to the NBA. Courted by several franchises, Phoenix ultimately secured his signature. A deal that brings a nice paycheck to his Turkish club.

Fenerbahce’s Nigel Hayes-Davis – the 2025 Euroleague champion and finals MVP as well as Turkish Cup champion and MVP – has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The two-time Euroleague first-teamer returns to the States and NBA. pic.twitter.com/4f75izENgM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

Phoenix acquires 2025 EuroLeague Final Four MVP

It’s now official: Nigel Hayes-Davis will continue his career in the NBA. The American forward leaves Fenerbahçe to join the Phoenix Suns, where he’s expected to be one of Kevin Durant’s backups following Durant’s trade to Houston. This transfer, which had been rumored in recent weeks, was confirmed Monday morning by ESPN. According to BasketNews, Fenerbahçe will receive 1 million euros for this departure.

This is the reward for an exceptional season for the former Barça and Žalgiris Kaunas player, who flourished under Šarūnas Jasikevičius. In spring 2024, the former Wisconsin Badger broke the EuroLeague single-game scoring record (50 points against Alba Berlin) and led Fenerbahçe to European glory in Abu Dhabi in late May 2025, with a decisive performance against Monaco (23 points and 9 rebounds).

An upward trajectory

Nigel Hayes-Davis is no stranger to NBA fans. He had already tasted the big league in 2018 with the Lakers, Raptors, and Kings, without managing to establish himself permanently. After a formative stint at Galatasaray, he built a solid reputation in Europe, even joining Team USA’s training camp in summer 2024, preparing for the Paris Olympics.

Twice named to the EuroLeague First Team, he leaves the Old Continent with a championship ring and a Final Four MVP trophy. A profile that attracted the Suns, who were looking to add scoring, versatility, and experience to their rotation.

Fenerbahçe can strengthen

For the Turkish club, this departure is a sporting heartbreak but a good financial operation. With this million euros, Fener will be able to reinvest quickly to stay at the top in EuroLeague, where they will try to defend their crown in 2026.

« Joining the NBA is a dream. I’m grateful for everything I experienced in Europe, » Hayes-Davis told BasketNews. His departure marks the end of a golden cycle for Fenerbahçe… and the beginning of a new challenge across the Atlantic.