Tag: Jordan Hawkins

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Bennedict Mathurin unanimously named MVP to lead Team Jalen to title

Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship.

Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin on Friday was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mathurin produced 18 points in the opening game as Team Jalen defeated Team Tamika. He had four points, two assists and one steal in a 26-13 win in the final over Team Detlef, which consisted of seven of the top players in the G League.

While Mathurin did the bulk of the scoring in the semifinal round, Dereck Lively II had six points and Jordan Hawkins and Jalen Williams each chipped in five points in the final. Williams drained the game-winning 3-pointer to end it for Team Jalen.

The event featured four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games were played to a target score of 40, and the championship game was played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consisted of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches and the players from the G League were selected by the league office.

The four teams were coached by Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who led the G League team.

Here is how the teams performed in the event.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Full rosters revealed in draft announcement

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams. The seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Here are the rosters drafted by Gasol, Catchings and Rose.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Hornets’ Brandon Miller rises up past Chet Holmgren

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

Over half of the NBA season is in the books as teams and players around the league look ahead to the trade deadline and All-Star break in the next two weeks.

The trade chatter figures to ramp up considerably before the deadline on Feb. 8, with several teams expected to be active. The impending rumors and other speculation should once again create plenty of storylines to watch over the next several days.

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The league announced the All-Star starters for each conference last week and will unveil the reserve players on Thursday. Though there likely won’t be a rookie announced as an All-Star, the class will be well-represented during the NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Player pool revealed for annual showcase at All-Star Weekend

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 at All-Star Weekend.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams and the seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Assistant coaches from the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs will join the honorary head coaches in coaching the Rising Stars teams. The NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs for both the Eastern and Western Conferences have yet to be determined.

TNT will televise the competition beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Wemby retakes No. 1 amid minutes restriction

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The schedule has reached the midway point of the 2023-24 season, as most teams around the NBA have played in at least half of their games to this point.

The halfway mark of the season serves as a milestone of sorts for the rookie class. Players who have appeared in most of their games have likely already surpassed their previous career high for games in a season, given that college teams typically play fewer than 40 games a year.

As cliche as it may be, the group could soon begin to hit the infamous rookie wall with the rigors of the schedule and other obstacles factoring into play. In other words: The second half will serve as a litmus test to see who is prepared for the stretch run.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

‘He was terrific’: Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins erupts for second 30-point game

Playing without four key players, rookie Jordan Hawkins stepped up with a career effort to lead the Pelicans to a win over the Mavericks.

Rookie Jordan Hawkins stepped up with a career effort to lead New Orleans to a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, even though the Pelicans played without four key players, including three of their top scorers.

Hawkins produced a game-high 34 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 118-108 victory on the road. He went 11-of-19 from the field, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, in 36 minutes to lead the Pelicans to their seventh win in nine games.

The Pelicans were without Zion Williamson (rest), Brandon Ingram (Achilles), C.J. McCollum (ankle) and Trey Murphy III (knee) in the contest. They received key contributions from Jonas Valanciunas, Jose Alvarado and Larry Nance Jr., who each scored 14 points apiece.

But it was Hawkins who stole the show.

“He was terrific,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “He was locked in from the very start of the game. His game-plan discipline was off the charts. His ability to not only hit shots but to continue to make the right play on both sides of the basketball. He is getting better and better before our eyes. He is making my job extremely difficult.”

Hawkins joined Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren as the only rookies with multiple 30-point games this season. He became the fourth first-year player in franchise history to reach that mark and is the first to do so since Williamson in the 2019-20 season.

He attributed the performance to staying consistent in the gym.

All of the hard work I’ve put in my whole life, just being in the gym all day every day as a professional. The confidence is coming from the preparation. Coach Green talks about it all of the time, so I prepare myself so I get opportunities like these, and I can be ready for it.

Hawkins was a key member of the rotation to start the season while the Pelicans dealt with multiple injuries. He has played sporadically since the start of December, with the roster the healthiest it has been all season, and even made one appearance in the G League.

The effort further showed that Hawkins can step in and contribute when needed. Given Hawkins’ ability, Green admitted some tough decisions could come regarding lineups and rotations, but the 21-year-old will be waiting for his next opportunity.

“I’m just being a pro at the end of the day,” Hawkins said. “I’m a pro now and carry myself on and off the court like that. At the end of the day, just carrying myself like a pro, knowing my chance will come and taking advantage of my opportunities.”

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Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins discusses G League assignment with Birmingham

Jordan Hawkins called it a good experience to play in the G League last week, with minutes at a premium with the Pelicans.

Jordan Hawkins called being on assignment in the G League last week a good experience considering playing time is at a premium with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Hawkins produced 32 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in 37 minutes with the Birmingham Squadron in a Dec. 29 loss to the Indiana Mad Ants. He led the Squadron in scoring and went 5-of-13 from 3-point range.

It was his first time logging more than 30 minutes in a game since Nov. 25.

“It was really fun,” Hawkins said on Tuesday. “I got a chance to play a little bit. I got a chance to go up and down, get some shots up and stay ready for when the team needs me. It was a good experience. … I got to work on some things that I’ve been working on, so it was really fun.”

Hawkins was a key member of the rotation to start the season while the Pelicans dealt with multiple injuries. However, he has played mostly mop-up duty since the beginning of December because the roster has been the healthiest it has been all season.

The 14th pick is averaging 10.4 points, three rebounds and 1.5 assists on 35.5% shooting from 3-point range in 29 games. Despite playing limited minutes recently, Hawkins still leads the rookie class in 3s (61) and is one of five first-year players with a 30-point game this season.

Hawkins could see additional time this season in Birmingham, depending on injuries and other factors. He is going to continue to improve his game in the meantime and adjust to the increased competition level.

“I think I’m just trying to get strong,” Hawkins said. “Guys in the NBA are a lot stronger than (the guys) were in college. I’m just trying to guard my yard; that is the biggest thing for me.”

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Pelicans send rookie Jordan Hawkins to Birmingham in G League

Pelicans rookie guard Jordan Hawkins has been assigned to the Birmingham Squadron in the G League.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie guard Jordan Hawkins has been assigned to the Birmingham Squadron in the G League, the team announced on Thursday.

The move comes as Hawkins has mostly been out of the rotation in December. He has been a healthy scratch four times and has only appeared in mop-up minutes for most of his eight appearances this month.

Until this month, Hawkins had been a key player for head coach Willie Green while the Pelicans dealt with several injuries. He started nine games and was nominated for Western Conference Rookie of the Month in October and November.

Hawkins is averaging 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 36.2% shooting from 3-point range in 27 games. He is seventh in rookie scoring and is one of five first-year players with a 30-point game this season. He leads the class in 3-pointers (59).

The 21-year-old has the sixth-most 3s by any player through the first 27 games of a career. He also tied teammate Trey Murphy III on Nov. 6 for the most 3s by a rookie in a single game in franchise history (7) en route to a career-high 31 points.

Hawkins looks to continue that success in the G League with minutes sparse with the Pelicans. He will have his first chance to play when the Squadron face the Indiana Mad Ants on Friday.

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Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins earns shoutout from Paul George: ‘I’ve been a fan of him’

Jordan Hawkins is off to a good start this season with the Pelicans, and recently earned some praise from eight-time All-Star Paul George.

Jordan Hawkins is off to a good start this season with the New Orleans Pelicans, and the 14th pick recently earned praise from eight-time All-Star Paul George.

Hawkins is averaging 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 37.3% shooting from 3-point range in 21 games. He is fourth in rookie scoring and is one of three first-year players with multiple 25-point games (3). He also leads the class in 3-pointers (56).

He has emerged as a key player with the Pelicans. He helped fill in when the team dealt with injuries early in the season and has started and come off the bench. Hawkins has provided steady production in either role and has been one of the top rookies.

George, speaking on his podcast, recognized Hawkins.

This kid has found his game, rhythm and home. I’ve been a fan of him ever since he was training at Proactive (in California) this summer; (a) really good player, a really good kid. Shoots the (expletive) out of it. He has got the Michael Redd, young Ray Allen (game). He is a sharpshooter. He can shoot the hell out of it. He is a scorer, and was a scorer when he was at UConn. Pay attention to Jordan Hawkins.

The 21-year-old can contribute in a variety of ways, but his shooting has really stood out. He has knocked down a 3-pointer in every game thus far and has the most by any player through the first 21 games of a career.

Hawkins also tied teammate Trey Murphy III on Nov. 6 for the most 3s by a rookie in a single game in franchise history (7) en route to a career-high 31 points. He became the sixth rookie in team history to reach that mark in a game.

He has stepped in when needed and provided good production for the team. He has earned the respect of those inside and outside the organization and looks to be in store for a strong rookie campaign.

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Rookie Power Rankings: Chet Holmgren remains No. 1; Scoot arriving in Portland

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The incoming rookie class has made it through the first quarter of the season, and several players from around the NBA have emerged with some strong performances on the court.

The early action has seen several first-year players contribute at a high level on teams in the playoff picture. They’ve had some key performances for their respective teams and should continue to do so throughout the year.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.