Kentucky Wildcats Basketball 2013-2014 Preview: #25 Dominique Hawkins

Madison Central point guard Dominique Hawkins. Photo by Jason Marcum

#25 Dominique Hawkins

Freshman-G

6’0″- 193

Richmond, KY

Before UK:

Dominique is a quintessential part of the tradition of Kentucky Wildcats basketball that harkens back to days long since passed where local products, who dream of donning the blue and white, jump at the chance. And that is exactly what Dominique did. This kid gets it. He understands the opportunity given him and isn’t afraid to show his excitement. Check out some his tweets re: Big Blue Madness

No, Dominique wasn’t a 4 or 5 star recruit that the rest of the country was clamoring after. He isn’t the next LeBron James or Kevin Durant. At this point, I’m not sure who you could look at for a good comparison, and that’s just fine. Well then, who is he?

He’s Dominique Hawkins, the MVP of the KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 Tournament, 2013 KHSAA State Champion, Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball, and the Kentucky’s National Gatorade Player of the Year. His 20.4 PPG and 5.6 RPG remained consistent from the regular season on through the Sweet 16. He hit a ton of big shots in the tourney to the point that John Calipari relented to the request Graduate Assistant Marquis Estill (Dominique’s Cousin) and gave Hawkins a look.

Several in fact.

Coach Cal:

“I kept hearing about Dominique from Marquis Estill and my good friend Dr. Robert Palmer. When I watched him play, lead his team, and play with a will to win and fight, I was totally sold. At the Sweet Sixteen, he made sure he got his teammates involved and was always happy with their success, but when it was time to take over the game – when it was winning time – everyone in the building knew they were going to play through Dominique, which they did, and they won.”

That quote tells you exactly why Coach Cal pulled the trigger on Dominique. He has legit game. He’s gritty, has heart, is a team player and is a clutch bulldog. He’ll thrive under Coach Cal’s tutelage and be a great 4-yr PG.

Who Am I?

Mix Tape!!

What to Expect in 2013-2014

Let’s face it, he knew coming in that minutes are going to be rare for him. With Andrew Harrison starting at the point, Jarrod Polson backing him up, and possibly Aaron Harrison, the pickings are gonna be slim. But he knew that going in and he won’t compete one ounce less. The practice competition will be fierce but it won’t likely translate into game time but it’s not out the realm of possibility. Cal rewards the hardest of workers, ie DeAndre Liggins, Josh Harrelson, and Jarrod Polson so Hawkins has a shot to some minutes here and there. His body is built for contact at almost 200 pounds so he won’t be pushed around easily, can fight through screens and absorb contact during the “and 1” plays.