Stephen Hawkins talks move to Ida Baker and upcoming senior season
2018 guard Stephen Hawkins will finish his high school basketball career at Ida Baker this season.
The 6’2″, 170-pounder spent his previous seasons with Mariner (2016) and Cape Coral (2015).
He served a backup guard role for Mariner as a junior. He says the season was full of positives like playing in front of Coach K at the City of Palms. But the negatives were there not allowing him to play to his full potential.
“I was not allowed to use my mid-range game that much or my open court vision as our strategy was to feed the post, attack the basket and only shoot jumpers out of set plays,” Hawkins told Prep Hoops Florida.
He says what he learned the most was that no matter what, play the game. Because once he did, he was able to contribute in more ways to pick up wins.
At Ida Baker, Hawkins will take over as the starting point guard and leader on the floor.
He spent this summer playing for Southwest Prime and previously Hoops On A Mission. He averaged 11.0 PPG, 5.0 APG and 5.0 RPG with highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds between the two squads.
Hawkins’ goal is to average a double double this season.
Starting his basketball life at age 3, he says it was easy to fall in love with the game because his dad played and showed him the ropes growing up in Prince George’s County.
Hawkins called his biggest strength his mid-range game. He credits his dad for teaching him that early in his life.
“My dad taught me to be a three-dimensional ball player, inside game, mid-range and 3-pt game,” Hawkins said. “I used to play center when I first started. Then I played forward, then shooting guard and now I am a point Guard. I am the true meaning of a coaches son.”
He is looking to improve his drive and finish to the basket with both hands.
No offers have come yet for the versatile guard, but Hawkins is going to earn an important opportunity as a senior. He has drawn interest from the likes of Rider, Columbia, King’s College, Queens University of Charlotte, Union College, Montevallo, Toccoa Falls, Catawba, Pfeiffer, American, Towson, Wofford, Charleston Southern, St Bonaventure and Stony Brook.
Look for Hawkins to excel at Ida Baker and showcase what he can do.