Mar 24, 2016; Philadelphia , PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes speaks to the media during a press conference the day before the semifinals of the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes is checking on his draft status

Following his junior season, Wisconsin basketball junior forward Nigel Hayes is submitting his name to the NBA draft advisory committee to check on his likely draft position.

Head Wisconsin coach Greg Gard made the announcement Tuesday.

Hayes is coming off of his best season to date, scoring 15.7 points per game and adding 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest. He’s scored 1,340 points as a Badger and grabbed 557 career rebounds so far in his three years at Madison, helping the Badgers to two Final Fours and a Sweet 16.

Related Story: Badgers Getting 2016-17 Hype

Should he choose to leave early he would follow in the footsteps of Sam Dekker, who left the Badgers a year ago after his junior season ended with the Badgers losing in the National Championship.

Wisconsin wasn’t expected to fare nearly as well as they did this past season, but behind a first-team All-Big Ten season from Hayes and help from the likes of Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ and others, the Badgers made it to their fifth Sweet 16 in the last six seasons.

It seems Hayes is looking for all available information as he prepares to make his decision to stay or to go, as evidenced by the school’s announcement Tuesday.

Greg Gard on Nigel Hayes and the NBA: We’re going to submit his name to the advisory committee. Then from there he’ll decide about entry. — Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) April 5, 2016

Hayes has shown throughout his career that he’s a smart player and person. He’s been critical of the NCAA for their stance on not paying players, and hasn’t shied away from commenting on the term “student-athletes.”

More from Badger of Honor Wisconsin Football: The Big Ten is Back!

Wisconsin Football: Where Can You Find Badgers in the NFL?

Wisconsin Football: Nolan Rucci Commits to Wisconsin

Wisconsin Football: Nolan Rucci Will Announce Commitment Today

Wisconsin Football: Could Rapid Testing Bring Football Back This Fall?

It should come as no surprise, then, that Hayes is approaching his decision of whether or not to enter the draft with a knowledge-based process.

He already knows the Wisconsin basketball team is primed to be one of the best teams in the country next season should everything go to plan. If Hayes stays with the Badgers, he will be returning along with the starting five and nearly every single bench player returning, as only one senior graduates this year.

What Hayes doesn’t yet know is how he is valued by NBA teams. The NBA draft advisory committee will be able to offer him an educated guess of his draft range, which will help Hayes make his final decision.

Badgers fans would love to see him back on the team next year, but if the draft advisory committee returns with a draft range that’s in Hayes’ best interest to go, no one should fault him for leaving early to chase his NBA dream.

Hayes is likely an NBA player regardless if he stays for another year or leaves early, but his decision will make a huge impact on both the Badgers team in 2016-17 and his future as an NBA player.