Jordan Hawkins will be formally introduced as the newest member of the New Orleans Pelicans at a press conference on Tuesday morning, but we can start get ourselves acquainted with the 14th overall pick before then.
Here are some bits of information that you may not know about Jordan Hawkins.
Hawkins played his high school basketball at the legendary Maryland powerhouse, DeMatha Catholic. Jordan Hawkins becomes the 17th player from DeMatha to reach the NBA. Others include Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley, former top overall draft pick Markelle Fultz, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.
His 109 three-pointers made during the 2022-23 season are the second most in UConn history, trailing Ray Allen’s record of 115 set in 1995-96.
Jordan Hawkins reached double figures in scoring in 32 of 37 games last season, including 15 with 20 or more points. In those 15 games, Hawkins averaged 22.9 points while shooting 47.4 pct. from the floor (47.6 3P%). The Huskies went 13-2 when he scored at least 20 points, 2-0 in the NCAA Tournament.
Hawkins won the national championship last season, earning Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional of the 2023 NCAA tournament after averaging 22 points and four rebounds in the Huskies’ Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games. He scored 16 points in the national championship win over San Diego State.
Jordan Hawkins is the 15th player to win a NCAA championship and play for the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans; joining Stacey Augmon (UNLV), Hilton Armstrong (UConn), Lonny Baxter (Maryland), Anthony Davis (Kentucky), Josh Hart (Villanova), Terrence Jones (Kentucky), George Lynch (UNC), Jamaal Magloire (Kentucky), Darius Miller (Kentucky), Emeka Okafor (UConn), Jahlil Okafor (Duke), Morris Peterson (Michigan St.), Russ Smith (Louisville), and Hakim Warrick (Syracuse).
Despite its storied history, Hawkins and Hilton Armstrong are the only two players to be drafted by the Hornets/Pelicans from UConn. UConn is tied with Alabama, Duke, Florida State, and Xavier for third among most players selected by the franchise. Kentucky leads the way with five, and Kansas is second with three.
He is the first player from UConn to be selected in the first round since James Bouknight was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th pick of the 2021 draft. He is the 10th guard from the Huskies to be taken in the first round since 1990.
Hawkins is only the fourth Hornets/Pelicans first round pick since 2003 to play primarily as a shooting guard in college. The previous three were JR Smith (2004), Austin Rivers (2012), and Buddy Hield (2016).
Born April 29, 2002, Jordan Hawkins will not be the youngest player on the Pelicans’ roster. He is 322 days older than backcourt mate Dyson Daniels.
Hawkins should be comfortable pretty quickly in New Orleans. He lists his hobbies as cooking and swimming.
READ MORE
- NBA Releases Pelicans’ Las Vegas Summer League Schedule
- New Orleans Pelicans Receive Mostly High Marks In Post-Draft Grades
- Pelicans Select UConn Sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins in 2023 NBA Draft
- Teresa Weatherspoon is Leaving, but Reports Indicate Zion May Be Staying
- NBA Free Agency: Wings and a Prayer
- NBA Free Agency: Best of the Backcourt
- NBA Free Agency: Best of the Big Men
