Hawkins To Prolong New Role

In today’s uniquely evolving recruiting landscape, Lawson State (AL) transfer guard Alex Hawkins brings proven, weathered experience, which ultimately may work in his favor.

With NCAA coaches prioritizing battle-tested toughness and hesitating to take a dice roll on callow guys out of high school/prep school, the guard who once catapulted Oakdale (MD) to a 3A state title as a 23 PPG scoring senior has authored an intriguing backstory.

He played a vital supplemental role on a star-spangled Hargrave Academy (VA) program that was No. 1 in the country in his post-graduate season.

At Lawson State, where he landed at the 11th hour following a topsy-turvy recruiting process, Hawkins averaged 13 points as an off-the-ball, catch-and-stick threat before assimilating to being the primary ball handler.

Regardless of the caliber of adversity the high academic recruit has endured during what’s become the norm for non-NCAA transfers in today’s cutthroat recruiting climate, Hawkins has bought into the leadership role.

This past season, the former state title game MVP again adapted to a flurry of change.

At Oakdale, Hawkins was the focal point with his smooth mid-range game and spurt-ability as a scorer. At Hargrave, alongside the likes of 6-foot-7 wing Jaden Daughtry (now a sophomore at Indiana State) and a big, quick 6-foot-5 guard in De’Shayne Montgomery (currently at the University of Georgia), Hawkins was a vital defensive cog and consummate glue-guy starter. As a freshman, he catalyzed Lawson State in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) with his scoring and two-way playmaking acumen.

Last year presented a challenge in which he had to rapidly adapt.

“I had never played strictly point guard, so this being my first year running the point, it was an adjustment,” Hawkins said.

“It was an adjustment I was ready to make to become more of a threat.”

Hawkins still possesses a 4.0 GPA, as he did in high school as a high honors student. It’s fair to say the JUCO route wasn’t exactly ideal or expected.

“The mental grind (of junior college) was something I had never faced before,” Hawkins explained.

“The most meaningful thing I got out of the experience was improving as a player mentally. My coach (Stott Carter) stressed self-motivation a lot, being able to do the little things without anyone else having to monitor you or instruct you. At the JUCO level, a lot of the grind is on your own, so I learned to stay locked in and motivated regardless of the circumstances.”

Like at Oakdale during an improbable run to the 2022 state championship, which at one point seemed in doubt, Hawkins has several memories following his foray into the JUCO ranks.

There was a 17-point game, while entrenched in a battle with high-scoring Wallace State guard and JC All-American Jimmie Williams (now at South Florida) during his freshman season. There was a stat sheet-stuffing showing of 12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and five steals during a 72-59 victory over Meridian. The game had value as it was a critical test of this Lawson State team’s ability to play with togetherness and continuity for a full 40 minutes.

Hawkins turned in a 17-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist, and two-block performance during a convincing 82-61 trouncing of Shelton State, as they avenged a nine-point loss from a month earlier. During his freshman season, Hawkins erupted for 31 points on sizzling 14-for-17 shooting, to go with 11 rebounds and four assists during a 101-77 throttling of Volunteer State.

These experiences have helped Hawkins sustain his insatiable competitive drive. The transition has him thirsting for more, as he looks to prolong his role as a quarterback and calming influence as a game manager.

While he feels one chapter of his life has been completed, Hawkins is eager to weigh the market with his next journey.

“Going into the recruitment process again, I’m hoping for it to be my final time doing so,” Hawkins said.

“I’m looking to find a program that will embrace me and make me feel like I’m at home. Regardless of where I land, I’m amped to play at another level and not only improve my game but improve whatever program blesses me with an opportunity.”