HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 01: Jordan Hawkins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at NRG Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
UConn guard Jordan Hawkins was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Hawkins is the 15th Husky to be drafted in the first round since 2000. It's the third straight year that UConn has had at least one player drafted, as Hawkins joins Tyrese Martin in 2022 and James Bouknight in 2021.
"This has been by far the best year of my life. I'm about to play in the NBA, that's crazy. Not many people get to say that. I'm blessed, I'm blessed. A lot of hard work," Hawkins said.
Hawkins helped the Huskies win their fifth national championship this year, averaging 16.2 points per game while shooting 38.8% from three last season.
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"I told somebody I wasn't going to cry, but I wimped out. It was a really cool experience," he said.
Stay tuned here for live updates from Thursday night's 2023 NBA Draft.
