HAWKINS VS GONZAGA PREP 2/4
19 PTS
6 REB (offensive)
3 AST (2 potential/ 1 foul)
2 TO
2 STL
3 BLK
5/9 2FG
2/5 3FG
3/4 FT
- Gonzaga is no joke of a team… multiple 4* players on the team and basically the whole starting lineup is high-major bound 3* or better.
- Left hand finish early in the first--nice to see he’s improving his package at the rim.
- His help defense IQ is off the charts for this age. So good… if we can pair him with another good on ball defender our perimeter D will be the best in the conference
- Hawkins locked Judah Mintz DOWN when he was guarding him. Top 100 CG class of 2022. Not sure quite what % or #s he kept him to, but it felt like he went off when Hawkins had to leave the game with a nosebleed in the first half, and when he left the game with a couple minutes left in the 2nd half.
- I think he must be shooting 80% on baseline pullup jumpers this season. It’s absurd. Every game he hits at least 3. Uses it to keep defenders off him to open up his 3 ball
- Twice in this game when Hawkins sat, the other team cut a 6-8 point lead down to 0. His defense and effecient scoring impact the game.
- Passed the rock MUCH better than I have seen before this game. Had two drive and kicks for 3s… Most games before he’ll have an assist and maybe 1 potential.. The total shows a much better game awareness.
- learning to dribble in games here and there is going to be huge for his development. He spent a lot more time handling it today which was good to see.
- If you want to know how athletic he is… a teammate unexpectedly dumped the ball right under the basket. Hawkins caught the ball at his chest and SLAMMED it with no warning and only 1 step to gather. This was with 5 minutes left in the game too so he was already gassed.
Overall take: He’s due for a rankings bump. Passing and handle has improved. More scoring. Retained his trademark efficiency and defense.
Gotta tell ya’ll, I like what I see from Rodney Rice more than Justice Williams. Williams is barely playing this season. Finishing well with both hands, handles it decent for his size, strong, makes some shots. Just not a ++++ athlete.