Raptors draft: 3 Big East prospects for Toronto to consider
By Mike Luciano
2. Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn
Hawkins has been a very popular name among Raptors mock draft predictors, with the UConn star riding the Huskies’ championship win to a potential lottery selection. It’s not hard to see why the Raptors would have such a high degree of interest in him.
Hawkins averaged 16.2 points per game while nailing 39% of his 3-pointers, playing exceptional on-ball defense, and leading his team to a national championship. Outside of the Scottie Barnes pick, Ujiri has typically looked at players with multiple years of collegiate experience.
Toronto Raptors draft: Is Jordan Hawkins the pick at 13?
Hawkins may not have the highest athletic ceiling when compared to most lottery guards, and the fact that he has such a seismic leap when compared to his freshman year in production might get some in the building slightly apprehensive about using a premium pick on him.
Perhaps rewatching the NCAA Tournament will be enough to win over those who are unconvinced by his talent. On a team that is going to prioritize defense no matter who is in charge, adding Hawkins seems like a good way to get a premier young talent that fits the scheme.