Jordan Hawkins Bio
Jordan Dorrell Hawkins is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on April 29, 2002, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, he rose to national prominence as a shooting guard for the UConn Huskies, where he played a leading role in the program’s 2023 NCAA championship run. Selected with the fourteenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Hawkins has quickly transitioned into the professional ranks and continues to develop his game at the highest level of basketball.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Dorrell Hawkins grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the same community where he was born on April 29, 2002. He began his high school career at Gaithersburg High School, where he first drew attention as a promising young talent on the basketball court. After his sophomore year, he transferred to DeMatha Catholic High School, one of the most storied basketball programs in the Washington, D.C. area, known for producing numerous college and professional players.
As a senior at DeMatha Catholic, Hawkins blossomed into one of the top high school players in the country. He averaged 19.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game, earning the prestigious Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year award. Rated as a four-star recruit, Hawkins chose to play college basketball for the UConn Huskies over offers from Louisville, Marquette, Xavier, and Seton Hall, signaling his belief in the program’s culture and development system.
Path to Basketball
Hawkins arrived at UConn as a freshman and quickly earned a role on a deep and talented Huskies roster. He played in 27 games during his first season, averaging 5.8 points and two rebounds per game, and was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team at the end of the year. His freshman campaign was cut short by a concussion near the close of the regular season, which forced him to miss both the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
Entering his sophomore season, Hawkins had earned the starting shooting guard position and was ready to take a major leap forward. After a second concussion during the season opener, he missed two games before returning to score 20 points against UNC-Wilmington. By the end of the regular season, he had cemented his place as one of the top guards in the Big East Conference, earning first-team All-Big East honors and averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. His strong play carried into the postseason, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional after averaging 22 points and four rebounds across the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds. Hawkins capped the run with 16 points in the 2023 national championship game, helping UConn defeat San Diego State 76–59. Shortly after the title, he announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2023 NBA draft.
Jordan Hawkins Career
Early Career (2023–Present)
Following his championship-winning sophomore season at UConn, Jordan Dorrell Hawkins declared for the 2023 NBA draft and was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the fourteenth overall pick. The selection validated his rapid rise from a complementary freshman role player to one of the most impactful guards in college basketball. Joining a young Pelicans roster, Hawkins was expected to bring perimeter scoring, defensive energy, and championship-level poise to the professional level.
Hawkins wasted little time showcasing his offensive capabilities at the NBA level. On January 13, 2024, he scored a career-high 34 points and added five rebounds as the Pelicans earned a 118–108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The performance provided a glimpse of his scoring upside and confirmed his ability to produce against top-tier NBA competition. Throughout his rookie campaign and beyond, Hawkins has continued to refine his shooting and overall game within the Pelicans’ system.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2023–Present)
Jordan Hawkins began his New Orleans Pelicans tenure as a shooter expected to stretch opposing defenses and contribute immediately off the bench. His transition to the NBA was buoyed by the experience of a deep NCAA tournament run and a national championship, where he had demonstrated poise under pressure. The Pelicans, eager to add perimeter scoring around their core, viewed the fourteenth overall selection as an investment in long-term offensive firepower.
Hawkins’ standout performance against the Dallas Mavericks in January 2024 marked his arrival on the NBA stage. His 34-point outburst, paired with five rebounds, signaled that the scoring instincts he displayed at UConn could translate to the professional level. The Pelicans continue to develop Hawkins as a key piece of their backcourt, with the expectation that his role will expand as he gains experience.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hawkins is recognized primarily for his perimeter shooting, with deep range and the confidence to launch in transition or off the catch. At 6 feet 5 inches tall and 190 pounds, he combines size with shooting touch, making him a difficult matchup for smaller guards. His rebounding and defensive instincts, refined during his time at DeMatha Catholic, also contribute to his two-way profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hawkins’ most significant milestone to date came when he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional during the 2023 NCAA tournament, helping lead UConn to a national championship with 16 points in the title game. His fourteenth overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft and his 34-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, 2024, stand as the defining early moments of his professional career.
Jordan Hawkins Career Wins
Jordan Dorrell Hawkins has built his resume around team success, scoring outbursts, and individual recognition at both the collegiate and professional levels. His most celebrated victory came on the biggest stage in college basketball, helping UConn capture the 2023 NCAA national championship with a 76–59 win over San Diego State. He followed that achievement with a strong professional debut season highlighted by a 34-point performance that helped the Pelicans defeat the Dallas Mavericks.
NCAA Highlights
Hawkins’ most prominent win came in the 2023 NCAA national championship game, where his 16 points helped UConn defeat San Diego State. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional after leading the Huskies through the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds. Those performances capped a sophomore season in which he earned first-team All-Big East honors.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship-level college success, Hawkins earned a career-high 34 points in a January 13, 2024, victory over the Dallas Mavericks, one of the most memorable individual performances of his early NBA career. He was also recognized as the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior season at DeMatha Catholic High School, underscoring his long track record of winning at every level.
Jordan Hawkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jordan Dorrell Hawkins comes from a family with strong athletic ties, particularly through his extended family. His cousin, Angel Reese, played college basketball for the LSU Tigers women’s team. In 2023, both Hawkins and Reese won national championships within two days of each other, an extraordinary family milestone.
Personal Life
Hawkins maintains close ties to his family and has frequently spoken about the support he has received throughout his basketball journey. His cousin Angel Reese is one of the most recognizable names in women’s college basketball, and the two have been noted for the rare coincidence of being born only one week apart. Hawkins continues to focus on his career with the New Orleans Pelicans as he builds his professional legacy.
2025 Season Performance
Jordan Dorrell Hawkins enters the 2025 season with the New Orleans Pelicans looking to expand his role and build on the momentum created by his standout 34-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks in January 2024. The Pelicans remain committed to developing their young core, and Hawkins is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in the team’s perimeter rotation. With a full offseason of NBA experience behind him, he is positioned to take a meaningful step forward in his development.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 campaign, observers will be watching closely to see how Hawkins builds on his shooting strengths and adapts to the physical demands of a long professional season. His championship pedigree from UConn, combined with his scoring upside, gives the Pelicans a player capable of influencing games on any given night. The team will be counting on him to provide consistent floor spacing and secondary scoring behind their established stars.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Hawkins’ continued growth will be a key storyline for the New Orleans Pelicans and their long-term outlook. His combination of size, shooting, and poise suggests a player with significant upside, and his work ethic points to a steady trajectory of improvement.