[1] He was selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Miami Heat, and was later traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Shabazz Napier.

For his senior year of high school, he played at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia and averaged 25.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

North Carolina coaches also selected Hairston as the defensive player of the game in the win over Virginia.

[2] In Hairston's sophomore season, he was in the starting line-up for the second time in his college career against Duke in February 2013.

[9] On June 26, 2014, Hairston was selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Miami Heat on behalf of the Charlotte Hornets.

[12] On December 22, Hairston recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Hornets defeat the Denver Nuggets, 110–82.

[16] On February 16, 2016, the Hornets traded Hairston to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-way deal also involving the Miami Heat.

[17] He made an impression early for the Grizzlies, earning the starting shooting guard role and subsequently scoring 17 points on February 24 against the Los Angeles Lakers in just his third game for the team.

[21] Seven days later, he was acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Rockets.