After earning a spot in the starting line-up as a freshman, Hawkins came into his own, playing on a upperclassmen dominated team. He averaged 9.2 points per game, and had a season high 24 points vs. Evansville.

Entering the NCAA Tournament against Syracuse, Hawkins had always dreamed of playing in the tournament growing up, and he electrified the crowd by sinking seven three pointers.

For most, being named the CBS Player of the Game and scoring 21 points would be a performance for the highlight reel, but Hawkins disagrees.

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The real highlight was simply getting in the NCAA tournament, he said. I had watched it for so many years, and dreamed about the opportunity to play in one. The fact that it happened my first season was great.

With last season in the past and this season on its way, Hawkins finds himself as the lone return starter and in the leadership role.

My role is more of leadership this year than last year. Last season there were seniors like Marcus (Timmons), but I’m back and I started enough to be the leader this year, he said. Our goal is to get better every day. With all the youngsters, it’s going to take a while, but we’re getting better.

At Pickneyville High School Hawkins was the first freshman to ever start. Over his four years there, he led the team to a 104-20 record, grabbed All-State honors all four seasons, and averaged 19.6 points per game over 124 contests.