Jordan Dorrell Hawkins is an American professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans who recently left a prominent mark in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was Born on April 29, 2002, and is 6ft 5 in and 190 lbs.
Early career
Hawkins was raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and attended Gaithersburg High School, but after his sophomore year, he transferred to DeMatha Catholic High School. His extraordinary performance during his senior year earned him the title of Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year.
As a four-star basketball recruit, Hawkins got offers to play for multiple college teams, including Louisville, Xavier, Marquette, Seton Hall, and UConn. Ultimately, he opted to go with UConn, a decision that set the stage for his budding basketball career.
College days at UConn
In his freshman season, Jordan Hawkins played 27 games and made it to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Unfortunately, Jordan suffered a concussion at the end of the season and missed the NCAA and Big East Tournament games with the Huskies.
In his sophomore season, Hawkins started as the team’s shooting guard. But as fate would have it, he suffered another concussion at the season’s opener, causing him to miss two games. Despite this setback, Jordan Hawkins made a remarkable comeback scoring 20 points when he returned against UNC Wilmington.
At the end of UConn’s regular season, Hawkins was named All-Big East. He also scooped the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional at the NCAA tournament in 2023 after winning four rebounds and scoring 22 points.
He continued to shine against San Diego State in the 2023 national championship game and led the Huskies to a 76-point victory. It’s after this victory that Hawkins made public his intention to try for the 2023 NBA draft.
Journey to the NBA
Hawkins’ entry into the NBA came when the New Orleans Pelicans chose him as the fourteenth pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft. His performance metrics and skills led to comparisons with notable NBA players. His 5-Metric Suite during his sophomore season of college scored high, notably in Pure Scoring Prowess (PSP: 72), 3-Point Efficiency (3PE: 86), and Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI: 73).
These metrics led to comparisons with Joe Harris’ age-21 season at Virginia and Immanuel Quickley’s age-20 season at Kentucky. Both players, renowned for their respective prowess in shooting and two-way combination guard skills, reflect the potential trajectory for Hawkins’ career in the NBA.
Future Prospects
Hawkins’ strength lies in his quick release, relentless off-ball movement, and impressive mechanics. As a prototypical NBA two-guard, his performance in the 2022-23 season, where he shot nearly 50 percent on spot-up 3-pointers, is a testament to his potential as a shooter.
However, Hawkins is more than just a shoot-first player. He also increased his assist rate during his sophomore season, demonstrating an expanding skillset. Given his athleticism and potential, Hawkins’ profile is reminiscent of NBA greats like Klay Thompson, Richard Hamilton, and Terrence Ross.
Overall, Jordan Hawkins has emerged as a promising NBA player with a unique blend of skills. Although his journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs, he has consistently proven himself capable of reaching new heights. As he continues to refine his craft in the NBA, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this promising player shapes the future of basketball.
Receive the same great private basketball training as Jordan Hawkins at You Reach I Teach Basketball Academy.
