UConn guard Jordan Hawkins declares for the NBA Draft just days after winning the national title

Fresh off of winning the fifth national title in his alma mater’s history, University of Connecticut sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. 

Hawkins revealed the decision sitting beside UConn head coach Dan Hurley on ESPN’s NBA Today on Friday afternoon.

According to ESPN’s draft projections, Hawkins is currently the 15th best prospect in the draft and is listed as the fifth best shooting guard in the 2023 class.

This season, Hawkins was named first-team All-Big East after averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game all season long – including shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range.

In the NCAA Tournament, Hawkins averaged 16.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists en route to winning the national title over San Diego State in Houston. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the West region and was part of the Final Four all-tournament team.

Hawkins announced his decision live on ESPN’s ‘NBA Today’ next to UConn coach Dan Hurley

The Maryland guard averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game this season

‘Hearing my name called on draft night will be a blessing,’ Hawkins said. ‘I worked so hard for this, me and my dad, we’ve been through so much.

‘When I first stepped on campus in Storrs, I was a little kid, just 160 pounds. I didn’t know the college game. Coach Hurley threw me into the fire. He guided me through it. 

‘It means the world for me having him, having this opportunity. He told me sophomore year I need to step my game up, make a name for myself. It’s amazing what we did together as a team.’

Hawkins was one of the leaders on a young UConn team that went undefeated against non-conference opponents and won every game at the tournament by at least 13 points. 

He led the team in points in their Sweet 16 victory over Arkansas with 24 in total – including three 3-pointers drained. 

‘I had the highest expectations for us as a team,’ Hawkins said. ‘We had a great team coming back. Coach Hurley always says that the big-time players step up in March. I look at myself as a big-time player. 

‘I had to make that jump. My teammates did the same thing. We did a hell of a job on both ends. They were amazing.

‘The last few days have been insane. We got back on campus, the whole school was waiting for us. I haven’t had much time to sleep. It’s been a crazy 36 hours. It still doesn’t feel real.’

Hawkins was named to the West Region and Final Four all-tournament teams this season

The Gaithersburg, Maryland product is one of the top catch-and-shoot players in this 2023 draft class, rounding out his skill set with, ‘elite range, footwork and body control running off screens, pulling up off the dribble or rising up behind dribble handoffs with a quick release,’ according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. 

Givony added that Hawkins has, ‘made strides with his defense, passing and shot creation this season, areas where scouts wanted to see growth.’

‘Shooting is my superpower,’ Hawkins said. ‘There are a lot of ball-dominant guys in the NBA who can create their own [shot]. I can be a knockdown shooter and play a significant role right away. 

‘As time moves on, I can develop and become an even bigger piece of the rotation, because I know I’m more than just a shooter. There’s more to my game, but I have to prove it to people.’

The NBA Draft will be held on June 22 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.