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Stephen F. Austin Basketball: Clear Southland favorites after Nigel Hawkins wavier

By Tristan Freeman

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Head coach Kyle Keller of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Head coach Kyle Keller of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Stephen F. Austin Basketball was already viewed as the favorite to win the 2021 Southland Conference title. Nigel Hawkins being officially onboard only cements that.

In late April of this offseason, Stephen F. Austin Basketball was able to land Nigel Hawkins, a transfer from UTEP. He actually left the Miners mid-season during some program turmoil but elected to stay on. But after seeing his production take a major dip, Hawkins left after the season was over.

In 20 mpg, Hawkins scored just 4.5 ppg this past season. A big part of it had to do with a number of transfers who joined UTEP the previous offseason, leaving the 6’4 guard out of place in the rotation. It was a far cry from his freshman season of 12.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 34 mpg, although his 34% shooting from the field is concerning. But when given the opportunity, Hawkins is an effective double-digit scorer who can produce on the perimeter.

Now that he’s been given a waiver from the NCAA, along with seemingly every transfer this offseason, Hawkins is part of the Lumberjacks 2020-21 roster. He’s effectively the replacement for former starting guard John Comeaux, who averaged over eight points per game last season.

The junior joins a projected lineup filled with upperclassmen, with a rising senior core featuring Gavin Kensmil, Cameron Johnson, and Roti Ware. Losing the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year in Kevon Harris certainly hurts, but there’s a clear gap between Stephen F. Austin and the rest of the league already. Adding Hawkins only solidifies the Lumberjacks as the favorite for the 2021 regular-season title, having won six of the last eight.

It’s important for Hawkins to be part of this team for the upcoming season, considering that Stephen F. Austin Basketball is currently banned from the 2022 postseason due to a lower Academic Progress Rating (APR) stemming from an administration error.

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If that stays in place, Hawkins won’t be eligible as a senior. Still, as stacked as this roster is, he’ll have as good a shot as ever to dominate the conference and make his first NCAA Tournament appearance.