NEW YORK — UConn men's basketball star guard Jordan Hawkins is going to the NBA.
The 2023 NCAA national champion was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the NBA draft, selected No. 14 overall.
"This has been the best year of my life," Hawkins told ESPN after his name was called. "I’m about to play in the NBA. It’s crazy. It's a true blessing. Not a lot can get to say that."
He is the first Husky men’s basketball player to be taken in the first round of the draft since James Bouknight was selected at No. 11 by Charlotte in 2021.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who was in New York on Thursday night, could only praise his former player, saying Hawkins is "tougher than you think."
"He helped us win a championship ... we were able to help his dream. It was incredible the emotion from his family," Hurley told ESPN. "I think he's the most unique shooter that has come into the draft in the last couple of years... He's very competitive."
Angel Reese, who led the LSU women's basketball team to a national championship this year, gave a shoutout to her cousin Hawkins after he was selected on Thursday night.
"Proud of youuu! We in the CITYYYY," she tweeted.
Hawkins’ former UConn teammate Andre Jackson Jr. was also selected Thursday night. In the second round, with the No. 36 overall selection, the Orlando Magic picked Jackson as a pick that will be traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The two UConn players became the program's 46th and 47th players drafted to the NBA since 1965. It is the first time since 2014 that UConn had multiple players selected in the NBA Draft.
Adama Sanogo, UConn's co-captain and the Most Outstanding Player for the Final Four, was not selected in the draft but is expected to receive multiple offers from teams to sign as a free agent.
Hawkins made the All-Tournament Team alongside teammates Adama Sanogo and Tristen Newton following the national championship final. In his last season with UConn, the Gaithersburg, Maryland native averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
During the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 16.3 points and shot 50% from the 3-point line.
Hawkins is known for his ability to come off a screen and quickly release a 3-point attempt. He shot 38.8% from beyond the arc this season.
His 109 3-pointers this year are second behind Ray Allen’s 115 on UConn’s single-season list.
Jackson was the team leader and the driving force behind UConn’s march to the NCAA crown. The 6-6 guard did not have gaudy statistic numbers, but his all-around versatility and outstanding athletic ability made him attractive to many NBA scouts. He averaged 6.7 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists during the Huskies’ 31-8 season. In the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.
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