Hawkins’ confidence, role grow

Not that it was a negative experience, but when Justin Hawkins reflects on his freshman year, he's pleased to see it in the rearview mirror.

He admitted to getting "flustered" a few times as he tried to find a balance between the basketball court and the classroom. But he's a sophomore now, and that means fewer surprises.

"One year is a big difference," he said. "Just going through all the ups and downs of last year, it makes me know what to expect. I'm a lot more confident."

Hawkins' spot in UNLV's rotation is a lot more secure, too. The 6-foot-3-inch guard is primed to be one of the team's most valuable assets.

When the Rebels (1-0) host Southeastern Louisiana (1-0) at 7 p.m. today at the Thomas & Mack Center, the fireworks will shoot off and the starters will be announced. Hawkins will be waiting in a reserve role.

That scenario is similar to last season. The change is that Hawkins will see more consistent minutes, and he'll be a bigger contributor.

"I think Justin has played as well as anyone we've got on our roster when you take into consideration all three ballgames," coach Lon Kruger said. "He has been terrific defensively, he's made shots and he's been very efficient and very effective."

Hawkins, who made a positive impression in both exhibition games, showed off his versatility in UNLV's 85-41 victory over UC Riverside in Friday's season opener. In 25 minutes, he compiled nine points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.

"I guess he could be under the radar a little bit. But I think a lot of people know how good he is," sophomore guard Anthony Marshall said. "When he comes in the game, it's just an instant surge of energy."

Marshall, from Mojave High School, and Hawkins, from Los Angeles, are longtime friends and roommates who formed a stronger bond last season.

"We've known each other since like the ninth grade, so we just try to be there for each other," Marshall said. "It helped a lot that we were going through the same situations, so we were able to talk about it."

Hawkins is passing some of his lessons learned on to another roommate, freshman Karam Mashour from Israel.

Mashour sat out Friday's game while Kruger debated redshirting him this season. Mashour will debut today, after convincing Kruger of his determination to play.

"I knew what Karam was going to do all along. I promised him I wouldn't say anything to any of the coaches or anybody else," Hawkins said. "I respect it. He's a real good player and I know he can benefit the team. We're going to take care of him.

"I just hope he's ready for all the ups and downs because I already warned him what I went through last year. He wanted to play no matter what. Whatever his minutes were going to be this year, he just wanted to be a part of the team."

Hawkins appeared in all 34 games as a freshman, yet his playing time (12.4 minutes per game) was sporadic. He scored in double figures three times in the first four games, but just once the rest of the season.

"My confidence went down when I wasn't really playing well," said Hawkins, who was adjusting to a hectic schedule of studying and practicing. "I piled too much stuff on at too many times. So now I know how to balance it all out."

Hawkins is featured in a book titled "Play Their Hearts Out." It's a behind-the-scenes story of youth basketball written by Sports Illustrated's George Dohrmann. The book went on sale in October, but Hawkins said he still hasn't found time to read it all.

Finding time on the court won't be a problem.

"Justin's not a guy who's going to jump out there and look to score 20," Kruger said. "But he does all the things coaches appreciate."

■ NOTES -- This is the first meeting between UNLV and Southeastern Louisiana, which went 19-12 last year and returns three starters. Senior guard Trent Hutchin scored 21 points as the Lions opened with a 91-45 victory over Division III Millsaps College.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.