By Zach Smart
In adapting to a current recruiting climate which prioritizes fifth and even six year players, Maryland native and Lawson State (AL) point guard Alex Hawkins is cognizant of the extensive path many are now required to take en route to the Division-I level.
Lightly recruited out of high school, where he helped spearhead Oakdale (MD) to a Maryland 3A state title as a 23 PPG scorer and stout on ball defender, Hawkins spent last season at nationally prominent Hargrave Military Academy (VA).
As he transitioned to the role of glue guy and adjusted to being less ball-dominant, Hawkins sparked a 44-2 Hargrave team rife with Division-I talent by doing all of the little things.
He laid down and took charges, applied blanketing defense across 94 feet, utilized augmented physicality in caroming rebounds and battling for 50-50 balls, and provided supplemental scoring with his fluid mid range game.
After capitulating to the likes of versatile 6-foot-7 left Jaiden Daughtry (Indiana State) and others at Hargrave, Hawkins has re-discovered the high scoring engine which propelled Oakdale to a historic season.
With an adeptness for creating space, considerable elevation on his jumper, and a knack for barreling his way into traffic and creating for himself and others, Hawkins has emerged into an efficient scoring source and heady offensive operator on which Lawson State has leaned.
Shooting 55 percent from the floor, Hawkins has savored his niche as a go-to option. He scored 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting during a recent 78-64 victory over Wallace CC.
Hawkins followed this up with a 30-point eruption, piloting Lawson State to a thorough 101-77 throttling of Volunteer State.
Hawkins will be the first to tell you, the environment at Hargrave left a lot to be desired if fun was your objective.
What Hargrave did ingrain in Hawkins, who has a 4.3 Grade Point Average, is character and leadership qualities.
There was major emphasis on discipline, accountability, and self reliance with nary the slightest bit of distraction.
Playing on Hargrave’s national team, Hawkins was one of several who had to be considerably less shot heavy.
The process enabled him, as well as others sacrificing self interest for team success, to better understand a good shot.
Now, as he’s steadily getting more touches and developing into a catch-and-stick threat from the perimeter, Hawkins has rapidly reverted to the role he shouldered at Oakdale.
Hawkins’ time at Oakdale wasn’t spent without adversity.
During a showcase tournament at Blue Ridge in Virginia, Hawkins was darting back in a defensive transition sequence when a rim attacking opponent landed awkwardly, crushing his foot on a spin as Hawkins looked to lay out and take the charge.
“Next thing I knew,” Hawkins recalled, “my ankle was dislocated and my foot was pointing in the wrong direction.”
In a mentally deflating and emotionally draining aftermath, Hawkins broke his fibula in three locations and dislocated his ankle.
Hawkins sustained toughness between the ears during the process, never entertaining doubt or negative thoughts.
He endured the rehab process, stayed focused through the recovery, and refused to let his grand aspirations for a stellar senior year dwindle.
There was a 39-point game against St. James and then highly courted recruit Solomon Ball (now at UConn). There were numerous go-ahead buckets, opportunistic 3-pointers, and clutch, pressure cooker steering free throws en route to the state title.
During the recovery process, Hawkins strengthened his psychological edge.
He underwent a self revelation which allowed him to understand that any moment, the game can be taken away from you.
This mentality shaped him for the breakout senior year, as he developed a sustainable edge and high wired playing style, the unbridled passion visible in his on court demeanor.
Simulating the collegiate workload with high level training while entertaining a national schedule at Hargrave, Hawkins readied himself for the rigors of the JUCO experience.
