Despite being "just down the road" UK had not been showing any interest in stud guard D Hawkins at Madison Central.

 

Changed today. Orlando went to watch him practice and will check him out next week should they win their first region game.

Very well deserving! Outstanding player and even more so off the court.

Very well deserving! Outstanding player and even more so off the court.

 

Great for this kid!!

UL has offered him a walk-on spot.

He's the best player in the state. They should at least check him out...

He's the best player in the state. They should at least check him out...

 

Harrison twins probably agree.

Harrison twins probably agree.

 

I've watched Dominique 5-6 times this season and he's best I've watched. I think he'd be better off accepting Morehead State's offer but that kid is really, really good.

Just to add to what's already been stated, I've heard nothing but positive things about Hawkins' character. A close friend of mine from college works at Madison Central High School and says that as a kid, he is a class act.

 

Don't know if UK will end up pursuing him given what they have coming in, but I'm sure he'll land on his feet at a program like Morehead State or Western Kentucky if nothing else. According to what he wants out of his college experience, it could be better for him even. According to the article, he has turned down other mid-majors aside from Morehead and WKU because of his familiarity with them at this point, so it would seem that those schools are willing to wait on him to decide, and he is at least one of their top options at the moment.

 

 

 

The latter of the two articles I’ve linked below mentions interest from Louisville, with the plan possibly being for him to walk on for a year and attempting to earn a scholarship in his second year. The article(s) also mention Tennessee and Alabama as showing interest and that more recently, Purdue has as well.

 

In their 2013 classes, Rivals lists the following:

Louisville has 4* PG Terry Rozier and 4* PG Chris Jones (listed at 6’0 and 5’10 respectively).

Tennessee already has 3* PG Travon Landry (Huntington Prep) and 5* SG Robert Hubbs.

Purdue has 4* PG Bryson Scott, and 4* SG Kendall Stephens.

Alabama has no PGs committed for 2013.

(Note: Rivals currently lists Hawkins as a 3* PG, and lists interest from Arkansas, Illinois, and Murray State as well).

 

 

 

I don’t mean this in a negative way at all, but I see Hawkins as a ‘Plan B’ for lots of schools in their recruiting. For example, Tennessee could be worrying that their PG prospect may not qualify/leaves after 2-3 years and want to add depth, OR Alabama could have him as Priority #2, but would offer him immediately if the #1 PG on their board were to commit elsewhere. Because of this, I would say that Hawkins’ eventual destination is still a bit of an unknown.

 

As we’ve seen over the years, a good state tournament run could end up landing him at a much bigger program than he would have ended up at otherwise. Nonetheless, based solely on what I know about him already, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that he could play at a school like Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. as well, so getting the Kentucky rub could be part of what helps his recruitment take off.

 

 

 

To close, I've seen some comparisons for Hawkins that I didn't really think fit, but wanted to know how someone who has seen both play would think his game compares to Preston Knowles?

 

I don't think Hawkins' shooting touch is nearly that of Chris Lofton (everyone's favorite recruit to compare KY players to when they feel that they are being overlooked). I don't think his frame is like Shelvin Mack (and Mack's game seemed much more predicated on his using his strength whereas Hawkins seems to have a slighter frame and more of a finesse game).

 

 

 

Most updated LHL article:

Antigua watches in-state guard Hawkins on Sunday » UK basketball recruiting news

 

Previous LHL article:

Madison Central's Hawkins flying high, but under UK's radar ? for now | Basketball recruiting | Kentucky.com

Bump.

Add in Quentin Snider for UL in 2014 and it gets crowded really quick at PG at UL.

 

I'd like to see him at UK or UL but of he can pull a Hickey and end up at Vandy, Bama, UT, etc then I am all for it.

I hope Madison Central makes it to Rupp so I can see him in action. I've never seem him play but what I've read about him sounds really good.

Watched Dominique several times and as an alum want him to do well on the next level. I think he fits well at either UL or UK. Both coaches want a physical point guard that can play good defense and have a variety of shots inside of 15 feet. Hes also capable of playing above the rim. Being a UK fan I want him at UK so the 40475 can get that same fever we had when Marquis was there. Cal needs to look at this as an opportunity to have a guy that by the time hes a junior-senior he would be starting on 70-80% of college basketball teams those years. Suit him up Cal!!

I didn't realize Hawkins is cousins with Marquis Estill.

I could see him being offered a preferred walk-on, but no way they offer a scholarship IMO.

 

I think they'd rather take Owootoah than Hawkins if they're going to offer one.

Just to add to what's already been stated, I've heard nothing but positive things about Hawkins' character. A close friend of mine from college works at Madison Central High School and says that as a kid, he is a class act.

 

Don't know if UK will end up pursuing him given what they have coming in, but I'm sure he'll land on his feet at a program like Morehead State or Western Kentucky if nothing else. According to what he wants out of his college experience, it could be better for him even. According to the article, he has turned down other mid-majors aside from Morehead and WKU because of his familiarity with them at this point, so it would seem that those schools are willing to wait on him to decide, and he is at least one of their top options at the moment.

 

 

 

The latter of the two articles I’ve linked below mentions interest from Louisville, with the plan possibly being for him to walk on for a year and attempting to earn a scholarship in his second year. The article(s) also mention Tennessee and Alabama as showing interest and that more recently, Purdue has as well.

 

In their 2013 classes, Rivals lists the following:

Louisville has 4* PG Terry Rozier and 4* PG Chris Jones (listed at 6’0 and 5’10 respectively).

Tennessee already has 3* PG Travon Landry (Huntington Prep) and 5* SG Robert Hubbs.

Purdue has 4* PG Bryson Scott, and 4* SG Kendall Stephens.

Alabama has no PGs committed for 2013.

(Note: Rivals currently lists Hawkins as a 3* PG, and lists interest from Arkansas, Illinois, and Murray State as well).

 

 

 

I don’t mean this in a negative way at all, but I see Hawkins as a ‘Plan B’ for lots of schools in their recruiting. For example, Tennessee could be worrying that their PG prospect may not qualify/leaves after 2-3 years and want to add depth, OR Alabama could have him as Priority #2, but would offer him immediately if the #1 PG on their board were to commit elsewhere. Because of this, I would say that Hawkins’ eventual destination is still a bit of an unknown.

 

As we’ve seen over the years, a good state tournament run could end up landing him at a much bigger program than he would have ended up at otherwise. Nonetheless, based solely on what I know about him already, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that he could play at a school like Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. as well, so getting the Kentucky rub could be part of what helps his recruitment take off.

 

 

 

To close, I've seen some comparisons for Hawkins that I didn't really think fit, but wanted to know how someone who has seen both play would think his game compares to Preston Knowles?

 

I don't think Hawkins' shooting touch is nearly that of Chris Lofton (everyone's favorite recruit to compare KY players to when they feel that they are being overlooked). I don't think his frame is like Shelvin Mack (and Mack's game seemed much more predicated on his using his strength whereas Hawkins seems to have a slighter frame and more of a finesse game).

 

 

 

Most updated LHL article:

Antigua watches in-state guard Hawkins on Sunday » UK basketball recruiting news

 

Previous LHL article:

Madison Central's Hawkins flying high, but under UK's radar ? for now | Basketball recruiting | Kentucky.com

 

I believe that Preston is the better shooter. I can see the comparison as both can slash to the basket. Another good comparison IMO is that both could carry their team when they had too.