'12 OH SF Deontae Hawkins (Offer)

[BearcatAlum1]

Power Forward, 6'6": Deontae Hawkins
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton Dunbar High School
AAU:
Offer: Cincinnati, Dayton
Other offers:
Interest: Xavier (OH), Miami (OH), Wright State

"Sophomore big Deontae Hawkins (6'7) showed us that he will be a solid D1 prospect if he keeps working. The Dunbar coaches never imagined that Hawkins would playing this well this early. He is "extremely" long and catches the ball very well in traffic. Hawkins finishes very well around the rim, runs the floor well with long strides, and even showed his ability to knock down the three. He plays with a lot of energy. Hawkins scored 20 points over the six quarters."
http://www.ohshoops.com/2009/11/dayt...d-running.html

I am unsure about the level of mutual interest, but Hawkins could be a good one. I saw him (what I believed to be him) in attendance at the Syracuse game on Sunday January 7 2010, sporting his Dunbar gear. I'm glad he got to see a good atmosphere for 30 minutes of the game.

He recently took a visit to UD and took in the Xavier game on Saturday January 6, 2010. UD won by 25 and the place was rocking.

It seems Hawkins is beginning to burst on the scene and not many know about him on the national scene. I think it is obvious that all the in-state schools know the kid, especially considering he gets big minutes for Dayton Dunbar, the #1 ranked team DII team in Ohio.

I'll keep everyone updated and will try to take in a few of his tournament games.

[JGood]

good stuff, with the players leaving we will need a player like that to sign on, 6-7 is versatile in the college game.

[BearcatAlum1]

Dayton Dunbar beating Kettering Alter 56-50 today.

I was able to watch both Deontae Hawkins (Dunbar 2012 PF) and Jaaron Simmons (Alter 2013 PG).

Hawkins scored 10 in the first quarter, had 15 at half and finished with about 18. He is very slim (only 16 years old), but has very good hops. His shooting form is nice and hit many midrange jumpers off a pass. He played off others and was a good offensive rebounder. His early weaknesses appear to be strength/weight and dribbling. He didn't put the ball on the floor much. It'll be interesting to see how he progresses.

Simmons is a freshman point guard that played the entire game for Kettering Alter. He did typical freshman things (over dribbled, missed open men, probably 7-8 turnovers, etc.), but led Kettering Alter with 16 points. He has very nice form, hitting about 6 free throws and a three pointer in clutch time. I definately could tell why many consider him the top point guard in the state for his class.

I'd expect schools to beginning offering Simmons this summer (after the July evaluation period) and Hawkins could start receiving offers after Dunbar's tournament run.

[BearcatAlum1]

For those interested, Deontae Hawkins' Dunbar team plays in the DII State Championship today at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ONN.

Also, keep an eye on Geron Johnson of Dunbar. 6'3" SG that has a plethora of talent but has had one or two off-court issues. Johnson was recently elevated to an ESPNU top 150 prospect, but word in Dayton is that he might go the prep school route.

Kid has high major athleticism. Stroke is iffy. He can score the ball. Dayton City League Player of the Year over Juwan Staten last year, btw.

[BearcatAlum1]

April 1, 2010
by JEFF BORZELLO

A name for Big East fans to keep an eye on over the next couple of years is Deontae Hawkins, a sophomore from Dayton Dunbar (Ohio).

“His potential has no limit,” Dunbar assistant coach Renaldo O’Neal said. “He will be one of the top players in the country. He’s already one of the top sophomores in the country, but he will be one of the top players.”

Hawkins already has offers from Dayton and Cincinnati, with interest from Xavier, Miami (Ohio) and Wright State.


“He’s a great name,” O’Neal said. “He’s a 6-6 silky smooth scorer. He’s a good rebounder, shot-blocker.”

Despite being so young, O’Neal said that Hawkins more than held his own against older players.

“He did a great job,” O’Neal said. “He played against some big names, but it was good because he didn’t have to be the focal point. He looks forward to the challenge. He was a little nervous in the state championship game, but he had three humongous blocks for us.

“He doesn’t back down. He’s learning on the go.”

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2010...tment-roundup/


FWIW, I will toot my own horn on this one. As mentioned first post on this thread, I "thought" Hawkins was at the Syracuse game this season, but was unsure. No other outlets reported it, nor did I see a mention that we were even recruiting Hawkins. I've seen the kid play and he is a very solid DI prospect. I would love to get an early commitment from him.

[blackcattitude]

(note: i work for DPS, which makes me extremely biased)

I want Geron Johnson here. BADLY. I know how the staff feels about character risks (and he is one, i'll admit), but GJ fits the offense here perfectly. GJ is better than Staten, and would remind ya'll of I. MacElroy.

[BearcatAlum1]

(note: i work for DPS, which makes me extremely biased)

I want Geron Johnson here. BADLY. I know how the staff feels about character risks (and he is one, i'll admit), but GJ fits the offense here perfectly. GJ is better than Staten, and would remind ya'll of I. MacElroy.

Good ole' DPS. I hail from the Gem City.

Johnson is very, very talented. However, I've heard people in the "know" think he is highly unlikely to qualify.

In fact, there has been speculation that he may not even look at the prep school route because of the same.

I think it is likely that he goes JUCO and will be a top 10 JUCO recruit.

There is no doubt he is a high major talent. ESPN recently rated him as the 82nd overall prospect for 2010.

FWIW, these same people in the "know" vouche for his character. They've known him for approximately 5-6 years, and say he got mixed up with the wrong crowd.

I'd gladly welcome him at UC. He has a nice demeanor on the court too. I could see him "buying in" and becoming a leader.

[blackcattitude]

i'd like to see him at Cincinnati State next year under Andre Tate