A huge smile stretched across Jordan Hawkins’ face New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon introduced him to his new leads during his engagement Introductory press conference Tuesday.
Hawkins will wear number 24 with the Pelicans, as he did at UConn and in high school at DeMatha Catholic—a number meant to honor his late idol, Kobe Bryant. His smile widened as soon as the Pelican invited his family to the front of the room for a quick photo.
His mother, Jasmine, was already wearing her blue Hawkins T-shirt as she sat and watched the press conference.
“Call me hook” 🏀
Hello from the latest Pelican 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hz1hVvfVuI
– New Orleans Pelicans (PelicansNBA) June 27, 2023
“I know she’s proud of me,” Hawkins said. “My parents are proud of me so I am happy they can be here. It is a dream come true for all of us.”
The former UConn star became the program’s second lottery pick in the past three years when commissioner Adam Silver announced him as the 14th overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday. Hawkins helped the Huskies set a program record 3-pointers made in a season (353), and with 109 3-pointers made of his own, he came just six shy of Ray Allen’s 1995-96 single-season record.
“People are only targeting me as a shooter but last year, I have to be honest, our team was so deep, I had to take a step back and take that role. Hawkins said while Press conference on Tuesday.
THREE OF A KIND: Proud UConn coach Dan Hurley is thrilled to see his three stars officially take it to the next level
Questions ranged from the topic of his movement, going off screens, his physique, and his fellow national champion cousin Angel Reese from LSU Women’s basketball. Hawkins said he’s heard from most of his new teammates, Larry Nance Jr. and CJ McCollum specifically, and felt welcome when he arrived in New Orleans this week.
First look at Jordan Hawkins at his new strands pic.twitter.com/3CuxEB6I7q
– New Orleans Pelicans (PelicansNBA) June 27, 2023
Hawkins, of course, had another chance to give UConn coach Dan Hurley, who had invited him to sit with him and his family at the draft, his flowers.
“Coach Hurley has been a tremendous influence on me,” said Hawkins. “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 to do it. I give him a lot of credit for my success now.”
The UConn love didn’t stop there, not with the Vice President of Basketball Operations and former women’s basketball star from the Pelicans. Swain Cash in the building.
“She’s a UConn legend. I don’t know if I’m a legend, but I’m not the same. So it’s amazing to be a part of this program with someone else at UConn,” Hawkins, who played under Cash’s retired No. 32 that was hung to the rafters last season, reiterated. “.
Welcome to Big Easy Champ 🦅 @golive23 https://t.co/vYjFJudXEA
– SwinCash (SwinCash) June 27, 2023
Both former Huskies made comments about the need to sign the other shortly after Hawkins was selected. They took a photo during Hawkins’ original visit to New Orleans during the recruiting process and then in another photo on Tuesday, as Hawkins begins to break out his new uniform.
“Welcome to the Big Easy Champ,” Cash posted on Twitter.
After the press conference and introduction, Hawkins went to an outdoor basketball court where he spent time with the kids from New Orleans. Youth empowerment project. the team Post pictures of him Dribbling a basketball with the kids as well as 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 starting July 7. That first game, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, will start at 4:30 p.m. and air on NBA TV.
“I’m really excited about it, my first glimpse of professional basketball, so it’s going to be really fun,” said Hawkins. “I can’t wait until that first practice to see what it really looks like.”