Elvin Hayes on why living 1,400 miles away from his family helped his career: "All of a sudden I was over it"

Sometimes living arrangements are more than simple logistics — they can reshape a player's entire mindset. Elvin Hayes certainly believed that, as his comments after the 1978 NBA playoffs made clear.

At the time, Hayes said that living alone in Columbia, Maryland, while his family stayed in Houston — a city deeply tied to his personal history — created the perfect situation for everyone involved. In that constellation, his children were happy and surrounded by loved ones. Meanwhile, he could focus on his craft.

"I'm totally free to play basketball. My mind is clear,"reflected Hayes, per the Washington Post.

Finding stability

Long before that moment of clarity, Hayes had built a reputation that was anything but calm. Beyond his remarkable talent on the court, he was often portrayed as volatile behind the scenes.

Former Washington Bullets head coach Del Harris once said Hayes's mood could shift without warning — at times it even felt like he was dealing with two different people.

With that in mind, it's fair to say that for much of his journey in the league, Hayes struggled to find a place where he could truly settle. In the mid-1970s, he finally found some of that stability.

After spending the weeks following the Wizards' 1977 postseason campaign at his family's home in Houston, Hayes returned alone to Columbia — roughly 25 miles from Washington — to prepare for the upcoming season, while his wife and children remained down south with relatives.

He admitted that the adjustment was difficult at first, especially because coming home felt so lonely. But he eventually made a mental shift by treating each return as just another road trip.

"All of a sudden I was over it," the former top pick said.

What also eased the transition was knowing his children were surrounded by love in H-Town, spending their days with grandparents and aunts.

"We talk every day. They're never lacking the love and attention they need, and knowing that takes a lot of pressure off me," said Hayes.

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Hayes dominated

Knowing his family was settled gave Hayes the peace of mind to devote himself entirely to basketball. In Columbia, the 6'9" forward found a setting free from distractions, allowing him to lock in on development and discipline. The quiet, insulated environment stood in sharp contrast to the noise and pull of his earlier years.

Hayes hadn't always lived this way. He had spent his early NBA years traveling from Las Vegas to Hollywood, living a far flashier life. Ten years into his career, however, he decided to embrace the opposite of the typical athlete persona.

Hayes said he adopted a low-key routine. He wore old blue jeans and T-shirts, avoided parties, and rarely displayed his gold chains. When people approached him, he preferred talking about baseball or everyday matters rather than public spectacle.

The numbers told the story. Hayes put up close to 22.0 points, 13.3 boards and 2.5 blocks per game during the playoffs, anchoring the Bullets' run to the title.

Hayes stayed in Columbia for three more years before rejoining his family in Houston, where he had once starred for the Cougars. From 1981 to 1984, he played for the Rockets — the same team he had briefly joined in the early 1970s — before retiring with a career that included one NBA title, 12 All-Star selections, a scoring title, and two rebounding titles.

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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.