Called to serve in the Utah Jazz Mission?

If Gordon Hayward wants to dress as a missionary for Halloween, he has one important aspect of that potential costume in place. He arrived in Denver for tonight’s 2010-11 season-opener sporting a fresh, clean-shaven look.

The 20-year-old no longer looks like he’s trying to imitate his Russian Shaggy lookalike teammate, Andrei Kirilenko, or Tom Brady or that Justin kid. He’s one suit, a black name tag and a nice tie away from looking like he’s dressing up as Elder Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz Mission.

“I probably won’t get another haircut for the rest of the season, so it was time. It had been a long time,” Hayward said about his new sharp do. “I usually keep it like this. I’d never really grown it long before, so it was a new thing to grow it long. So we’ll see.”

As for that other matter – you know, the NBA season – the Utah Jazz’s No. 9 overall draft pick is looking forward to making his rookie debut tonight against the Nuggets.

“I’m excited, ready to go,” Hayward said. “Just going to go out there and try to do my job, so it’ll be fun.”

He’s certainly more aerodynamic now, that’s for sure.

And Hayward has good timing for getting his haircut. His mom and dad will both be in attendance tonight.