The transition from high school to high level prep hoops entails adapting to less offensive weight and finely tuning all components of one’s game.
This has been part of the transition for former Oakdale HS (MD) guard Alex Hawkins.
The 6-foot-3 Hawkins has gone from a 23PPG scorer on a 2022 3A MD state champion Oakdale team to a vital defensive presence and quintessential glue guy at traditional prep power Hargrave Military Academy (VA).
Sacrificing individual desires and gaudy stats for team glory, the Maryland native finds himself unfazed and motivated in an arduous, military style setting.”
As a team, we’ve bonded pretty well and of course us being together all the time and getting to know each other has translated to our chemistry on the court,” said Hawkins, whose Hargrave team is 19-0 and has won anticipated games against St. Thomas More (CT) and Fork Union (VA) handily.
“We feel we want to be the No.1 team in the country, we kind of have that chip on our shoulder where we feel underrated and as of we are being under-recruited.”
In subscribing to a role that entails taking less shots than he’s accustomed to and also being a hounding defender who leads the team in charges with 18 total, Hawkins is more of an old school guard on this team.
His game doesn’t possess flash or pizazz. It is more predicated on consistency, reliability, and defensive aptitude.
“I’ve always felt I’ve been a good defender,” said Hawkins.
“I didn’t necessarily want to focus on defense all the time (at Oakdale). Now, if I need to I’ll guard the opposing team’s top scorer. It’s a disciplined environment. In playing with a bunch of other guys who were ball-dominant at their previous program, it’s been about adjustment for all of us. Making that extra pass, taking the right shot, and making the right cut, instead of just looking for my shots. That’s where my game has definitely changed.”
The surrounding pieces have also changed. Hawkins is playing off the ball as a catch and stick threat, but he’s no longer the first option like he was at Oakdale.
Hargrave is led by 6-foot-7 Indiana State commit Jaden Daughtry, a physical and versatile lefty.
“Jaden is a pleasure to play alongside of,” Hawkins said.
“He’s left handed and while he’s more of a slasher, you can’t ever leave him open. He drives really hard, he’s got a strong build and when people are sagging off him he can just knock down 3-pointers.”
Including Daughtry, Hawkins feels his team possesses in the vicinity of 10 guys with the ability to play at the Division-I level.
He’s developed a rapport with dynamic Canadian guard Kailon Nichols and an under the radar 6-foot-5 left handed guard/wing from South Florida in De’Shayne Montgomery.
“(Nichols) is 5-foot-11 and super athletic,” Hawkins said. “He’s got a knockdown pull-up jumper and a 40-inch vertical. He dunks on people. De’Shayne is a natural scorer and he really showed just how good he is during the live period.”
While the team is buoyed by a prolific offense which scores over 100 points per game, Hargrave’s fleet of shooters all buy into the team concept. Everyone is willing to sacrifice.
For Hawkins, it means sacrificing his body and laying down to take a charge.
“We as a team really have just prioritized winning, where a lot of kids in prep want to show out and generate offers and exposure,” Hawkins said.
“Our team mentality echoes with me because I feel like I am a winner. I’ll do whatever it is that’s required to win.
With a 4.4 GPA and a member of the National Honor Society during his time at Oakdale, Hawkins knows the decision to attend Hargrave was above and beyond basketball.
While Hargrave has produced NBA players such as Joe Alexander, Terry Rozier, and Mike Scott amongst other notable alum, Hawkins said the structure of the lifestyle is critical.
“It’s definitely not a place you go to have fun,” Hawkins said with a few laughs.
“But it prepares you for life and adversity and the obstacles you will face. It’s all of the little things that come with being responsible that you learn with this experience.”
Hawkins has generated interest from Air Force, VMI, Colgate, Bucknell, Navy, Amherst, Swarthmore, Cornell, and Brown.
In today’s environment, with NCAA Division I coaches prioritizing transfers, graduate transfers and guys with experience over HS and prep prospects, he’s cognizant of just how hard you need to grind to garner a full scholarship.
Hawkins cemented a memorable high school career with a 24-point, 11-rebound performance which catapulted his team to the state regional final. Hawkins was able to bounce back from devastating ankle injury to regain top shelf form. He culminated his career at Oakdale as CMC Player of the Year.
This time, the challenges in his way aren’t as daunting.
“What really helps our team gel is the fact that we’re all in the struggle together,” he said. At first it was an adjustment for all of is. But we’ve adapted and really made it work.”
