The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Huskies get ‘a steal’ in athletic shooter Hawkins
UConn’s second commitment from the Class of 2021 is known as a deadeye shooter with boundless athleticism.
Jordan Hawkins is also a steal for the Huskies, according to his high school coach.
“UConn’s got a tremendous program, Coach Hurley has righted the ship there and things are going in the right direction,” said Mike Jones, longtime head coach of DeMatha Catholic in Maryland. “But for Jordan, with the way things are going now, I think UConn — I mean, UConn’s a big-time program — but
UConn’s getting a steal. He’s starting to get a lot of interest from some of the blue-bloods, but I think UConn is the perfect fit for him. He’s extremely excited about going there. He’s gonna have a chance to have a great career.”
Hawkins, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound shooting guard, committed to UConn on Friday morning. He is the No. 49 recruit in the nation , per 247Sports and rivals.com, and is the second national top-50 guard from the Class of 2021 to commit to the Huskies in the past 10 days. Rahsool Diggins of Philadelphia, a point guard, pledged to UConn on July 26.
His recruitment was spearheaded by assistant coach Kenya Hunter.
Hawkins told Hearst Connecticut Media he chose UConn because of “Coach Hurley, Coach Hunter, great coaching staff. We’ve got a great recruiting class coming in. The Big East is a great conference, Connecticut is a great state. Connecticut is known for making pros and winning championships.”
Hawkins added that he’s played against Diggins several times, and looks forward to teaming up with him in UConn’s backcourt.
“I’m very excited. He’s a very good point guard. He can do pretty much everything: Score, defend, pass.”
“He is the perfect combination of a kid who can really, really, really shoot the ball, and he’s also a tremendous athlete,” Jones said. “A lot of times, with high school guys, they can’t do both. They’re either one or the other. Jordan has the perfect mix of both. He’s a very capable defender, he’s got a beautiful shot that he makes at a very high percentage. And his athleticism is off the charts.”
Hawkins noted that he wants to get his weight up a bit over the next year. Otherwise, he believes he
can give UConn fans a little of everything.
“I can get everything done,” he said, “defend, shoot, ballhandle, playmake.”
Hawkins transferred to DeMatha last season and blended in well with a veteran team. He wasn’t a vocal leader, but will be more so this season as a senior.
“He’s a real quiet kid, but a great kid, comes from a great family,” Jones said. “We’re proud to have him in our school community, and when UConn gets him, he’ll be a great asset and contributor to their school community, as well.”
Jones said Hawkins is “extremely excited” about going to UConn and has a chance to have a great career.
Why’s that?
“First of all, Coach Hurley,” Jones said. “He’s a great coach who also demands a lot from his players. I think Jordan is the type of player who can do well under that. I’m not Coach Hurley, but I also am very demanding of my guys, and Jordan didn’t bat an eye in the one season he was with us. If I got on his case, it didn’t bother him at all. It just made him want to work harder. I think Coach Hurley’s personality is gonna be something that is definitely gonna bring the best out of many players, Jordan included.”
Xavier, a fellow Big East rival of UConn’s, was one of the first high-level schools to recruit Hawkins. Over the last six weeks or so, his recruitment has stepped up, with programs like Louisville, Notre Dame, Maryland, Georgetown and Wake Forest coming in hard.
Hurley and the Huskies won out. Again. Just like UConn swiped Class of 2020 big man Adama Sanogo from under Seton Hall’s nose. Just like the Huskies nabbed Diggins away from Villanova’s clutches.
“He’s ready to go,” Jones said of Hawkins. “I think his family is extremely happy with the choice, as well.”