Overview
Hawkins spent the four years of his college career at Illinois. His role grew progressively in the program, going from a bench alternative in his freshman year to a player who started in every one of his 68 appearances during his junior and senior years. Hawkins averaged 1.4 points per game as a freshman while seeing limited minutes (6.3 minutes per contest). Still, those numbers rose to 5.9 points (in 19.0 minutes per game) and 9.9 points (across 32.5 minutes per game) as a sophomore and junior, respectively. He would save the best for last as Hawkins averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks across 31.6 minutes per game as a senior in 2023-24. Hawkins was named to the 2023-24 All-Big Team Third Team in his senior year.
Analysis
The 6-foot-8 forward is a proven three-level scorer who can attack the basket, settle for mid-range jumpers or knock down 3s with equal ease. He’s at his best when playing near the basket, however, and he figures to be a solid pick-and-roll threat as a finisher. Hawkins also has excellent hands for his size and isn’t a liability as a facilitator, though he’s not expected to be asked to initiate offenses at the NBA level. His defense doesn’t get enough credit. His 7-foot wingspan allows him to be a disruptive force on the defensive end, either by making steals or blocking shots. The main concern around Hawkins is his speed. There’s a strong chance he won’t be quick enough to guard quicker players, which might limit his ceiling defensively as a power forward because he could be outmatched while guarding small forwards on the perimeter. He also struggles a bit as a rebounder considering his size.
Projection
Hawkins’ future depends a lot on how reliable his 3-point shot becomes and if he can tone down his fouls. There are similarities to Jeff Green, Marquese Chriss and Darius Bazley. As a stretch four who can knock down shots and not be a liability defensively, Hawkins seems to have all the tools to feature in an NBA-caliber rotation sooner rather than later. However, he projects more as a player off the bench rather than a full-time starter in his prime.
— Profile by RotoWire