It has been a road filled with some travels but a lot of hard work. After deciding to leave Gilbert High School a year ago and compete for AZ Compass Prep, 6-foot-6, 200-pound senior wing DJ Hawkins landed this season at Eduprize High School, where he has picked up his play and looks set for a big senior season.
While Hawkins has watched as many other prospects in his class have received much more recruiting interest than him, he has now received his first scholarship offer, as Park University, a newly developed basketball program in the state, extended an offer to him - his first offer to date.
Park University head coach Gordon Stubblefield saw Hawkins perform in this year's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase, and he was one of the event's top overall emerging performers, as he showed off his ability to score the basketball at all three levels and also make plays for himself and others, while playing both ends of the court with a good overall motor. Stubblefield liked the Hawkins' play enough to offer a scholarship to the gifted 2/3 prospect that is set to have a big senior season for an Eduprize team that is on the rise.
Hawkins developed a great deal over the past year as a player, while playing against top-rated competition in the prep ranks while at Compass. After leaving Gilbert High School after his sophomore season and transferring to AZ Compass Prep, Hawkins picked up his junior season and played for head coach Ray Weathers and his staff. Hawkins joined a very talented team at AZ Compass Prep, which was led by the play of University of Utah signee Both Gach and high-scoring guard Dwayne Walker from Milwaukee, WI, a Chipola JC (FL) signee. With numerous transfers on the team and also loads of talent and competition, Hawkins blazed a trail for himself through hard work, while developing as young man - spiritually, mentally and physically.
DJ developed a great deal as a player, as he is now a skilled wing prospect that has a very good feel and understanding for the game. Capable of playing as a guard or as a forward, Hawkins is a very good ball handler and passer with a good perimeter shooting stroke with range on his shot.
Hawkins has also been a top performer the past two summers at the annual Southwest All-American Camp, against loads of serious competition. Hawkins is worthy of much more recruitment this high school season, so this first offer is an important one for the Hawkins' family.
I will continue to follow Hawkin's recruitment closely this season, and bring you any recruiting updates on throughout the year.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Hawkins is a skilled wing prospect that has a very good feel and understanding for the game. Capable of playing as a guard or as a forward, Hawkins is a very good ball handler and passer with a good perimeter shooting stroke with range on his shot. He is a good mid-range player that is still developing physically, but he is able to make plays off the dribble for himself and get to the basket, where he is a solid finisher. He is still growing physically a great deal, and his continued maturity will benefit him very nicely over time, as he looks to become even quicker and more explosive. Hawkins has worked hard in the weight room, and also worked on his advanced skillset to become a more complete and well-rounded performer. Hawkins has excellent work ethic, one of his best attributes as a player, and is willing to put the time in on and off the court, which will benefit him nicely over time and in the future. He is also a fine young man and a student that will make any coach happy. Hawkins is also the son of Dana Hawkins, a former accomplished pro and college basketball player and the brother of Arnecia (Arizona State University) and Armani Hawkins (North Carolina State).
