Tag: Jordan Hawkins

Chet Holmgren, Jaime Jaquez Jr. named NBA Rookies of the Month

Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been named NBA Western and Eastern Rookies of the Month.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been named NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month, the league announced.

Holmgren averaged 17.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks in 18 games in October and November on 41% shooting from 3-point range. He is the only first-year player with multiple 30-point games this season, including a Thunder rookie record 36 points on Nov. 18.

Jaquez became the fifth player in franchise history to win after averaging 12 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals on 39% shooting from 3-point range in 19 games. He has scored in double figures in seven straight games, and in 12 of his last 13 games overall.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama were also nominated for the award in the West. East nominees were Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson.

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Rookie Power Rankings: Chet Holmgren tops Wemby; Jaime Jaquez Jr. rises up

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

As the top players around the NBA settle into another season on the court, the rookie class continues to put up some impressive performances seemingly on a nightly basis.

The group, of course, has been headlined by No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and former second pick Chet Holmgren. The two players have distanced themselves some from the rest of the rookies this year after dazzling starts with their respective teams.

Elsewhere, other players have earned significant minutes and put up some productive outings in their roles, either in the starting lineup or off the bench. The class should continue to show out on the court with the season in full swing.

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.

Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins is hitting 3s at an historic rate to start his career

Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins turned in another productive outing and found himself in some rare company after defeating the Mavericks.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jordan Hawkins turned in another productive outing on Tuesday and found himself in rare company after defeating the Dallas Mavericks.

Hawkins produced 25 points, six rebounds and three assists in the 131-110 victory. He went 8-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-12 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes off the bench to help the Pelicans snap a five-game losing streak.

The 14th pick is one of two rookies with multiple 25-point games this season (Victor Wembanyama). He is third among rookies in scoring (13.7) and leads the class in 3s per game (2.9) and total 3s (32).

“We don’t have to tell him to shoot the ball,” said assistant coach James Borrego, who filled in for head coach Willie Green. “He has great confidence, so if he is open, knock it down. We’ve seen a couple of games like this so far for a rookie. I think he is up there as far as the most 3s made after the first (11) games. When he is doing that, it spaces the floor.”

Hawkins’ 32 3-pointers are the most by a first-year player in NBA history through the first 11 games of a career, topping Bennedict Mathurin (31), Luka Doncic (29), Brandon Jennings (28) and Keegan Murray (27).

He said it is pretty cool to be atop a list like that.

It is dope. You see ‘NBA history’ and your name next to it is really cool. It is a blessing, but I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing and helping my team. That’s all I’m trying to do. The awards and all of that stuff, if you perform, it’ll all fall in line.

Hawkins recently became one of 25 rookies to produce 30 points in a game with seven made 3-pointers. He is one of two rookies this season with a 30-point game (Wembanyama) and one of six in Pelicans history to reach that mark.

The team has turned to him early this season with some players down with injuries. He has been one of the top rookies to start the year and should continue to prove that nightly.

“I know I’m supposed to be here,” Hawkins said. “I know what I’ve done to get to this point — all of the hard work I’ve put in to get here. I’m not saying I’m supposed to have these games, but I’m not surprised as well ’cause I know how hard I worked to be at this point.”

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Rookie Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren dazzle to start the season

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

The NBA season is underway as players and teams around the league begin to settle in on the court with over a half-dozen games under their belts.

The early action has already provided several notable performances and other highlights from the best players in the game. With a talented group of rookies entering the league, there have also been incredible efforts from the incoming class.

No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama has looked the part of a generational player, while another 7-footer, Chet Holmgren, is also finding early success. Of course, other first-year players have also started off hot with great performances of their own.

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.

Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins joins elite company after 31-point explosion

Jordan Hawkins became the sixth Pelicans rookie to score at least 30 points in a game.

Jordan Hawkins has been praised this season by coach Willie Green for his ability and maturity, and the 14th pick showed why on Monday for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Hawkins produced a career-high 31 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 134-116 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He shot 10-of-19 from the field, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range, in 38 minutes in his fourth start of the season.

He is one of 25 rookies all time to record at least 30 points with seven 3-pointers in a game, joining Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Jason Kidd and Rick Berry.

“He is fearless,” Green said. “When he is open, he is going to shoot it. He is aggressive. The beauty of it is Brandon (Ingram), Z (Zion Williamson) and all of his teammates, Larry (Nance Jr.), are looking for him. To have the floor spaced for those guys with moving and cutting and player movement and ball movement is beautiful to watch. We just got to do it for 48 minutes.”

Hawkins is the second rookie this year to score at least 30 points in a game (Victor Wembanyama, 38 points). He is one of six Pelicans rookies with a 30-point game, joining Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton and JR Smith.

His seven 3s are the most by a first-year player in a game this year; the 21-year-old leads the rookie class so far (20). He is tied with Lauri Markkanen for the most 3-pointers through the first seven games of a career.

“I came in here just telling myself to keep your head down and work hard, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” Hawkins said. “I know I can shoot the ball. Shooting the ball is a vital key for every team, so that’s helped me a lot, as well.”

Hawkins is averaging 12.6 points, four rebounds and 1.7 assists on 36.4% shooting from 3-point range. The Pelicans turned to Hawkins last week to start in place of Ingram, who was dealing with a knee injury, and have opted to mostly keep him with the first group.

He has given the Pelicans a good floor-spacing option, which was on display versus the Nuggets. The opportunity to start will continue to help Hawkins develop, and the former UConn standout is grateful.

“It is great,” Hawkins said. “Not a lot of guys, especially rookies, are fortunate to get put in the situation I’m in. I am blessed to have the coaching staff I have and all of the teammates I have. I’m in a great situation, and I can’t complain about anything.”

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Pelicans’ Willie Green on Jordan Hawkins: ‘He is earning more and more minutes’

Willie Green has praised Jordan Hawkins for his overall ability, and the Pelicans coach believes he has improved in the early going.

Willie Green has praised Jordan Hawkins for his overall ability on the court, and the New Orleans Pelicans coach believes the rookie has improved in the early going.

The 14th pick is coming off his first start of the season on Monday. In 35 minutes, Hawkins recorded 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals on 6-of-13 shooting from the field in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The Pelicans turned to Hawkins in that contest because Brandon Ingram is nursing a knee injury. He found out just before tip off that he’d be starting, and he impressed Green in that role.

He was a bright spot. (We) threw him in the lineup kind of last minute, and he has always been ready to play. He was like that all of preseason. He has definitely taken some strides defensively, and he is earning more and more minutes.

Hawkins continues to flash his ability to shoot and lets it fly when he is open. He was viewed as perhaps the top shooter in the NBA draft this year and has a release that enables him to pull up quickly. He can also convert it on the move.

The team has welcomed the addition of Hawkins. He is a proven winner after leading UConn to the championship last season, and he has fit into the system well thus far, Green said.

Jordan is extremely valuable in the sense that he is a high-character guy. He comes in, gets his work in. Even before he got to us, he was a champion. It takes a lot to win a championship at any level. He has experience, so even more than shooting, he knows how to play. He knows when to get his shot up, when to shot-fake, drive, find teammates, etc.

Whether Hawkins is starting or coming off the bench, the Pelicans know exactly what the 21-year-old can bring to the court. He should be able to contribute at a high level this year as a result.

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Victor Wembanyama among 13 rookies to sign shoe deals with Nike

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller headline a talented rookie class to sign with Nike this year.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller are among 13 rookies to sign shoe and apparel contracts with Nike, according to Nick DePaula of Boardroom.

Wembanyama and Miller headline a talented rookie class for the Swoosh, which includes Amen Thompson (Houston), Ausar Thompson (Detroit), Anthony Black (Orlando), Bilal Coulibaly (Washington) and Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City).

They join a star-studded roster, including signature athletes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Sabrina Ionescu. It has been estimated that nearly 70% of players in the NBA wear Nike on the court.

The group of players signed to Nike nearly makes up half of the first round of draftees this year. Other rookies, such as Scoot Henderson (PUMA), Jarace Walker (Under Armour), Jett Howard (Jordan) and Gradey Dick (Adidas), have also inked with apparel companies.

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Pelicans’ Jordan Hawkins earns praise from Willie Green: ‘He knows how to play’

Jordan Hawkins entered the NBA known as a shooter, but the 14th pick is showing the Pelicans that he can do more than that.

Jordan Hawkins entered the NBA likely best known as a shooter, but the 14th pick is showing the New Orleans Pelicans he can do much more than that.

Hawkins produced a team-high 17 points on Saturday in a 110-105 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in College Park, Georgia. He added two rebounds and one assist in nearly 23 minutes of work on 5-of-11 shooting from 3-point range.

The former UConn standout caught fire in the fourth quarter, recording 14 points. He helped spread the floor during his time on the court, which helped open up things for others.

That, coach Willie Green said, will be crucial for the Pelicans this year.

He can (shoot it). He can get to the basket. He knows how to play. That’s the biggest thing. He knows when to take shots, when to shot-fake, when to drive, kick it to teammates. Teams are going to load up in the paint against our guys, and we have to be willing and capable of taking and making catch-and-shoot 3s.

Hawkins has had the green light to shoot so far in the preseason. He has converted nine of his 23 shots from 3-point range (39.1%) and is averaging 7.7 attempts in three games. With a quick release and great accuracy, Hawkins has helped the Pelicans in the early going.

The Pelicans wrap up the preseason on Tuesday in Orlando.

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NBA 2K24: Ratings revealed for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday.

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday across all platforms around the world.

The latest installment of NBA 2K features three distinct editions, each honoring Kobe Bryant. The game, for the first time, also allows for crossplay, meaning users on different gaming consoles can still play with their friends online.

In addition to many of the new features and updates unveiled in the game, fans are equally as excited to see the initial player ratings. Of course, with a new group of players set to enter the league, many are curious to see how the rookie class would be graded.

The franchise, led by marketing director Ronnie 2K, previously revealed the ratings for several first-rounders this year. With the game officially available for purchase around the world, the grades for each rookie have been unveiled.

Here are the ratings for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Jordan Hawkins says he would bring his ‘championship mindset’ to the Nets

UConn guard Jordan Hawkins says that he would bring a lot to a team like the Nets, including his championship mindset.

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets have made it to the playoffs with the current roster, but the organization and the fanbase are still clamoring for a championship. UConn sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins feels that if he were selected by the Nets in the 2023 NBA Draft, he would bring his championship mindset to the franchise. Hawkins spoke to Nets Wire about his draft experience and potential fit with Brooklyn.

“It’s been great,” Hawkins said when asked about how the draft experience has treated him so far. Hawkins, 21, comes into the draft having helped lead the Huskies to win the 2023 NCAA championship and earning numerous accolades in the process. Hawkins is regarded as a player who can make an impact right away through his shooting and he isn’t shy to admit that.

“I probably impact every team with my shooting,” Hawkins explained when asked what he can bring to the Nets if selected by them in the first round. Brooklyn, like every other team in the league, can use more shooting, especially at the guard spot. “That’s how I impact that (the Nets) team and on the defensive end as well,” Hawkins continued. “Just (bring) a championship mindset to the teams.”

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