One of the key players from UConn’s national championship run this past season was a sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins.
The 21-year-old will now be taking his talents down to “The Big Easy,” as the New Orleans Pelicans selected the Maryland native with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this past season for the Huskies, as he shot an impressive 38.8 percent clip from three-point range. Thanks to his shooting prowess, Hawkins was projected to be a top-20 pick back in April and has now made that a reality.
The improvement from Hawkins’ freshman season to year two was substantial. He increased his scoring output from 5.8 to 16.2 points a game and improved his overall shooting, going from 35 percent to 41 percent from the field.
However, it was his performance in the NCAA tournament that drew a lot of eyes on the guard. In six of the seven games in the tournament, Hawkins scored in double digits, including 16 points on 5-of-0 shooting in the national championship game win against San Diego State. His biggest postseason performance came in the Sweet 16 matchup against Arkansas, when he scored 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting, helping him earn Most Outstanding Player of the West Region.
Hawkins should fit in nicely with the Pelicans thanks to his strong three-point shooting and ability to space the floor, something the team needs to improve. New Orleans finished the 2022-2023 season with a 42-40 record, but missed out on the playoffs after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Play-In Game. With the addition of Hawkins and the expected return of former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamsonassuming he isn’t dealt, the Pelicans could be one of the stronger teams in the West next season.
Hawkins wasn’t the only former UConn star to be drafted Thursday night, as the Milwaukee Bucks selected Andre Jackson Jr. in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft with the No. 36 overall pick.
Jackson, who’s listed at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, averaged 6.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game over 29.1 minutes in 36 contests. He showcased his all-around play during the Elite Eight against Gonzaga, posting a near triple-double with eight points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The 21-year-old struggled a bit with shooting during his junior season at UConn, as his three-point percentage dropped from 36.1 percent in 2021-2022 to just 28.1 percent last season. But the athletic wing has the tools to become a strong transition scorer and should be able to use his length (6-foot-9 3/4 wingspan) to be a solid defender in the NBA. Luckily, he’ll be able to learn from the two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee to develop his skills.
UConn Center Adama Sanogo was unfortunately not drafted Thursday, but did sign a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, according to multiple reports.
In 39 games last season, Sanogo averaged 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. He shot at a 61 percent clip and was a 36.5 percent three-point shooter last season.