The Point Weekly: You’ve earned a variety of different honors, including being named a first team NCCAA all-American, as well as being a multiple time PacWest Player of the week. How do you get to that point in your basketball career?
Hayden Lescault: I got to this point in my career by putting in hard work in the gym daily. Basketball has been a big part of my life since I was five years old and I have always loved going to the gym to try to expand my game. My Dad played a big part in helping make me the player I am today; he was my first basketball coach and he has mentored me through my whole career. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without the support and work ethic that he has shown me.
PW: Can you speak a bit on your experience of playing on this team – what that means to you – over your time here at PLNU?
HL: I love this team. We are like a band of brothers that really care for each other on and off the court. Having a tight knit group really helped us win so many games this year. Everyone wanted to win for each other and thats what helped us go so far this year. I’ve been at Point Loma for four years now and my relationship with the coaching staff has really grown as well.
PW: Being a college athlete is difficult. Not only do you have school, but you’ve got the responsibilities of a full time athlete thrown in the mix. What are some of the challenges that come with that?
HL: It gets extremely hard at times to balance your class load and basketball. With the two hours of practice everyday, then the weight room, then the extra work that you have to put in on your own if you want to be an elite player and homework; it gets hard to fit that all in one day. Some sacrifices have to be made in order to accomplish everything you need to for the day.
PW: And when you do find some free time in your schedule, is basketball something that you still like to do just for fun, or do you find yourself taking that time to do something else?
HL: Basketball has always been extremely fun to me ever since I was a little kid. If I have spare time you can pretty much count on me to spend it playing basketball because its what I love to do. In the off season I look for pick up games all over San Diego to go to, whether it be at UCSD, USD, Point Loma, or the local rec center; I’m always trying to find a spot to play.
PW: How did you end up here at PLNU?
HL: I came down to San Diego in high school for a tournament and one of the coaches came to a couple of my games. I played well in the tournament and our team ended up winning it and Point Loma started to recruit me pretty hard after that. They ended up offering me a scholarship and it seemed like a good fit for me and I took it. I’m glad I did too.
PW: Basketball has clearly been a big part of your life up to this point. Do you see this as something you’ll pursue after graduation?
HL: I’m definitely going to try to pursue playing basketball after my college career is over. I would love to play this game as long as I’m able to. It has been a dream of mine ever since I was in kindergarten to play professional basketball and I think I have a shot of making that happen. I want it so bad, and that is one of my motivating factors that drives me to work hard every day.
Cade Michaelson 
Luke Mallery