What if we had the new renowned back trained in Connecticut? After Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon and obviously Ray Allen, the young Jordan Hawkins actually seems to have all the qualities to become the youngest of this line of backs passed through the Storr campus before shining in the NBA.
Full-back, the 21-year-old is an excellent shooter, like the illustrious Huskies mentioned above, certainly the best of this 2023 vintage. After a discreet “freshman” season in 2021/22 (5.8 points at 33% at 3- pts), he thus shot at 39% from behind the arc on 7.6 shots per game (16.2 points) this season for his “sophomore” exercise, even reaching 50% success during the six games of the “March Madness” (21/42 for 16.3 points average), participating fully in the “run” to the title.
If the ceiling he can reach is clearly not among the highest in this vintage, his floor level is on the other hand very high thanks to his outside shot, an essential tool in the modern NBA. Many teams would be delighted to retain his services, to surround their ball carriers with a real sniper.
Profile
Job : Back
Size : 1m96
Weight : 88kg
Crew : UConn Huskies
Stats 2022/23: 16.2 points (38.8% at 3-pts), 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists
Strong points
– The best pure shooter of the vintage. ” Shooting is my superpower “, he even said last month, when he declared his registration in the Draft. Pure back with a silky shot, Jordan Hawkins is indeed the most formidable “sniper” of this Draft 2023 (38.8% on 7.6 shots this season). For the time being above all a specialist in shooting in motion, he can punish in “catch-and-shoot” from anywhere, in any context. Out of the screen or on a “handoff” behind the arc, halfway on a “pindown” or more simply in a “corner” on a “pick-and-roll” phase: it does not matter for the native Maryland fullback, who can draw from anywhere with equal ease the moment it’s open. Its shooting mechanics are fluid, compact and trigger quickly, and it is all the more dangerous as its supports are positioned very quickly. In short, he is part of the historical tradition of “shooting guards”, who dribble little but are systematically moving away from the leather to afford preferential shooting positions. If he lands in the NBA in a team in which the attack is managed by good “playmakers”, he will get his kicks from behind the arc.
These playoffs are showing us why the Lakers will draft Jordan Hawkins at Pick 17.
He is the best movement shooter in the draft and has shown effort and grit when being a point-of-attack defender.
Hawkins won a championship this year at UCONN pic.twitter.com/bQoSWd8aJ1
—Jake (@KingJakeVII) May 19, 2023
– Good defensive potential. His shooting is obviously his main selling point, but Jordan Hawkins also has good qualities on the other side of the pitch. Even if he is still a bit light physically (88kg), he is tall and swift (1m96), with a wingspan approaching 2m08, and moves rather quickly. Laterally, his supports are indeed lively, especially at the “point of attack”, a key area in the NBA, where the defenses are mainly focused on the “switch” in the axis. In short, if the defensive effort of Jordan Hawkins is sometimes inconsistent, his defensive tools, on the physical and athletic level, are in any case carriers of great optimism concerning his ability to very quickly become a positive defender in a collective. A good summary of his qualities in the passage below, where he secures the “point of attack” before hindering his vis-à-vis at the low post, without making a mistake. Very promising.
Weak points
– A dribble still a bit shy. Often compared to Ray Allen, for the similarity of position, shooting skills and university, Jordan Hawkins is currently not at the same level as the legendary shooter from Milwaukee, Seattle and Boston was at the same age when it comes to dribbling. Very comfortable in catch-and-shoot, the NCAA champion is indeed a little less so when you have to put the leather on the ground to take a shot behind. A small defect which prevents him from sanctioning with the same regularity when leaving the dribble or even in his finishes in the circle. Especially since he is still a little physically tender, and can’t really jostle to finish strong in the paint. On this point, the example to follow for him would be that of Bradley Beal, especially an “off-ball” back at the start of his career, before gaining confidence in his dribbling with experience, until becoming a ball carrier hardened.
Comparison
A “catch-and-shoot” profile a la Malik Beasley Or isaiah joe, but with much greater defensive potential. If he improves his dribbling, Ray Allen (Milwaukee or Seattle version) is of course the model to follow.
Prognosis
Between 10th and 20th position. In #12 or #13 for example, the Thunder and the Raptors could choose him to boost their attack. Otherwise, he can also be an obvious choice to help the Lakers’ spacing in #17.
