A massive smile stretched across Jordan Hawkins’ face as New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon presented him his new threads during his introductory press conference on Tuesday.
Hawkins will wear No. 24 with the Pelicans, as he did at UConn and in high school at DeMatha Catholic — the number meant to honor his idol, the late Kobe Bryant. His smile grew wider once the Pelicans invited his family up to the front of the room for a quick photoshoot.
His mom, Jasmine, already had her blue “Hawkins” road jersey on as she sat and watched the press conference.
“I know she’s proud of me,” Hawkins said. “Both my parents are proud of me so I’m happy they can be here. It’s a dream come true for all of us.”
The former UConn star became the program’s second lottery pick in the last three years when Commissioner Adam Silver announced him as the 14th overall selection in Thursday’s NBA draft. Hawkins helped the Huskies set a program record for 3-pointers made in a single season (353) and, with 109 made 3s of his own, came just six 3-pointers shy of Ray Allen’s 1995-96 single-season record.
“People just target me as a shooter but last year, I’ve got to be honest, our team was just so deep I had to take a step back and just take that role. I mean, I can put the ball on the floor and create when I have to, play-make, but I adjust to what the team needs me to do,” Hawkins said during Tuesday’s press conference.
Questions ranged from the topic of his movement, coming off screens, his fitness and his cousin, fellow national champion Angel Reese of LSU women’s basketball. Hawkins said he’d heard from most of his new teammates, Larry Nance Jr. and C.J. McCollum specifically, and felt welcome when he arrived in New Orleans this week.
Hawkins, of course, also had another opportunity to give UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who he invited to sit with him and his family at the draft, his flowers.
“Coach Hurley had a tremendous impact on me,” Hawkins said. “He believed in me first and foremost, he took a chance on me. He told me (after my freshman year) that the ball was in my hands and he had to trust me for me to do that. I give him a lot of credit for my success now.”
The UConn love didn’t stop there, not with Pelicans Vice President of Basketball Operations and former Huskies women’s basketball star Swin Cash in the building.
Hawkins, who played underneath Cash’s retired No. 32 that was hung in the rafters last season, reiterated, “She’s a UConn legend. I don’t know if I’m a legend, but I’m not on her status. So it’s incredible to be a part of this program with another UConn person.”
The two former Huskies each made comments about needing the other’s autograph shortly after Hawkins was picked. They posed for a photo during Hawkins’ original visit to New Orleans during the draft process and then for another on Tuesday, with Hawkins beginning to break in his new uniform.
“Welcome to the Big Easy Champ,” Cash posted on Twitter.
After the press conference and introduction, Hawkins took to an outdoor basketball court where he spent time with kids of the New Orleans-based Youth Empowerment Project. The team posted photos of him dribbling a basketball with the kids and also participating in some arts and crafts inside.
Fans will have a chance to see Hawkins back on the court soon with the Pelicans’ summer league schedule beginning July 7. That first game, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, will begin at 4:30 p.m. and air on NBA TV.
“I’m really excited for it, my first glimpse of professional basketball so it’s gonna be really fun,” Hawkins said. “I just can’t wait until that first practice to see what it’s really like.”
