BC’s Hawkins out for rest of season

With the addition of Deontae Hawkins, Boston College entered the season with frontcourt talent to complement what some believed to be the best backcourt in the ACC.

Three weeks into the season, his presence was certainly being felt. But that’s all it lasted.

Hawkins has been ruled out for the year, BC announced today, after suffering a right knee injury in last Wednesday’s loss at Nebraska.

“(Hawkins) means so much to everyone in our program and he made a big impact in his time here,” BC coach Jim Christian said. “He brought maximum effort to every practice and game and was a positive influence on both our veterans and our younger players. His leadership on and off the court will be missed.”

A fifth-year graduate transfer from Illinois State, the 6-foot-8 forward was averaging 12.7 points and 10.0 rebounds through the first seven games. He was third in the ACC in rebounding and among the conference and national leaders in double-doubles with four.

He was hurt in the first half of BC’s loss at the Cornhuskers, when he fell awkwardly He didn’t return.

It’s a major blow for BC (6-3), which had looked improved with Hawkins. The forward transferred to Chestnut Hill after nearly leading Illinois State to an NCAA tournament berth last season.

Without Hawkins, Christian will likely give more minutes to freshman Steffon Mitchell and sophomore Johncarlos Reyes to help fill the void.