Jordan Hawkins reveals how UConn alums Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton impacted his game

Amid his breakout sophomore season to help UConn to the Final Four, Jordan Hawkins is trying to follow a long line of iconic guards to play for the Huskies. That list includes Ray Allen and Richard “Rip” Hamilton, both of whom have played key roles in changing Hawkins’ game.

Hamilton and Allen have both been resources for Hawkins this year, being there to answer questions he might have. Of course, they both went on to do well after their time with UConn.

Allen was a 2018 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and Hamilton went on to make three All-Star games and lead the Detroit Pistons to a championship in 2004.

Those are the shoes in which Hawkins has to follow. He knew what he was getting into, though.

“Meeting them is a blessing, for sure,” Hawkins told reporters ahead of the Final Four. “As soon as I got to UConn, I knew those were the type of guys that played here. I had to live up to that standard. It’s amazing I’ve got these two guys in my corner. I can go to them anytime and ask them a question about how I can get my jump shot off quicker. It’s an amazing feeling, and I’m just blessed to have those two.”

Hawkins burst onto the scene this year for UConn, making an impressive leap from his freshman season. He’s averaging 16.3 points per game, which ranks second on the team only to Adama Sanogo, while shooting 40.7% from the field and 38.5% from three-point territory. Last year, he averaged just 5.8 points per game in 27 games, including four starts.

The biggest change, Hawkins said, didn’t happen on the court. He changed his approach to the game, which helped him gain the confidence to put up the numbers he has.

“I think my mentality changed completely,” Hawkins said. “I feel like I had the skill to do what I can do now last year, but my mental wasn’t all the way there with my game. I think that was the biggest thing that changed.”

Hawkins has put together back-to-back impressive games for UConn in the NCAA Tournament, including a 20-point performance against Gonzaga as the Huskies cruised to an 82-54 victory in the Elite Eight.

Now, UConn is turning its attention to a hot Miami team in the Final Four this weekend in Houston. That game tips off Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS with a trip to the national championship on the line.