New coach Mark Pope has been hard at work in the transfer portal, and has been looking to add a starting caliber point guard in particular. Deivon Smith has been on their radar, and now they will be hosting Minnesota transfer Elijah Hawkins for a visit as well.
Hawkins was not a heavily recruited player out of high school and wound up at Howard University. After two solid years there, he transferred to Minnesota.
Last year, with the Golden Gophers, Hawkins scored 9.5 points per game and shot 36% from three-point range. As a passer, he was excellent, putting up 7.5 assists per game, which was third highest in the nation.
In continuing with a theme so far for Kentucky, he is also a strong defender. He averaged 1.6 steals per game last season.
Pope is clearly looking for fits for his offense, but also for good defenders. Adding Hawkins would give them someone who excels in both areas.