Jordan Hawkins (#49 on 247 composite) committed to UConn via YouTube on Friday, coach Dan Hurley’s second 2021 recruiting victory in as many weeks. Hawkins, a 6’5″ guard from just outside Washington D.C., is a big-time scorer who could be an option to replace James Bouknight, should the sophomore declare for the NBA at year’s end.
With Husky fans still giddy from point guard Rahsool Diggins‘ (#53) commitment on July 26, the addition of Hawkins has the UConn twittersphere approaching a level I would conservatively label “frothy.” In Diggins and Hawkins, Hurley has put together a potentially elite backcourt, the kind that might just carry him to a Final Four.
Hawkins is known for his outside shooting. Rivals’ Corey Evans recently declared him “[o]ne of the best shooters in the 2021 class.” Hawkins will need to add strength at the collegiate level, a focus of Hurley and Mike Rehfeldt, the program’s new Director of Sports Performance who has received early praise for the current roster’s offseason progress.
Mike Jones, Hawkins’ coach at DeMatha Catholic, acknowledged Hawkins’ shooting ability and athleticism while telling Adam Zagoria last week, “[h]e also has embraced being a tremendous defender. Whichever college program he chooses will be getting someone who will be able to contribute at a high level immediately.”
For Kenya Hunter, who was the lead recruiter for Hawkins and whose medical issues forced him to take a leave of absence starting in November, this represents a very successful return to the recruiting trail. Hawkins is the highest-rated player Hunter has landed as lead recruiter.
With one scholarship remaining for the 2021 class (for now), Hurley’s staff appears to have already zeroed in on Patrick School big man Samson Johnson (#86) who played last season alongside 2020 UConn signee Adama Sanogo. Indications are that Hurley is hoping to have Johnson in the fold before September, and given the recent track record of this staff, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens. A class featuring three highly-rated four-star players signed up before the fall would have the Huskies’ class ranked among the very best in the country.
This is another big win in a series of impressive commitments for Hurley, ranging up and down the I-95 corridor (aka Big East territory). If Hurley and company can keep bringing in this level of talent, UConn’s return to greatness may be coming sooner rather than later.
