We’re back. Minnesota guard Elijah Hawkins (5-11/165) announced that he would transfer to Texas Tech for his final year of eligibility.

To the chart.

Eligibility Chart

GR = Graduated
PO = Portaling

Hawkins started his collegiate career at Howard where he played 2 years and averaged double-figures and over 5 assists each year. Hawkins transferred to Minnesota for his junior year where he averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals a game last year in 33 minutes, while shooting 39% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc, and 77% from the charity stripe..

Hawkins was the 2nd best player for the Golden Gophers last year. Surprisingly, he was not a high usage player, 38.8% of his possessions ended up as an assist, but he also had a high turnover rate, 23.9%. Definitely something to watch and would hope he could approve upon. I’ll say that this isn’t something that has improved over his career so maybe don’t hold your breath. And for comparison purposes, Joe Toussaint had a rate of 18%, which is acceptable. Hawkins also had a very high steal rate, 2.9%. Hawkins is not a particularly great shooter, only 47% on close 2-point shots and 43% for 2-point shots overall. The 36% from deep isn’t bad, but it’s not special either. Hawkins does make 78% of his free throws.

In terms of what is needed further, I think that Grant McCasland is focusing on the big men moving forward. Right now there’s only 4 big men and Cambridge isn’t a traditional big man, but can guard a big because of his size. Utah State’s Great Osobor (6-8/250) is player that Texas Tech is competing for and if you were to ask me, yesterday, New Mexico’s TJ Toppin (6-9/210) entered the portal and he’s from the Dallas area (I happen to know his little brother, he played on Yo’s Showtyme team last year) and would shock me if Kellen Buffington didn’t know him. And of course, you know that there are still 5 spots to fill so the roster is a ways away from being settled.