Galatasaray inks star swingman Hawkins

Aug 17, 2012 by Eurocupbasketball.com Print

David Hawkins – Besiktas Milangaz (Photo: bjk.com.tr)

Galatasaray Medical Park made an impact signing by reuniting swingman David Hawkins with his coach from last season, Ergin Ataman. Hawkins (1.93 meters, 29 years old) played under Ataman – and alongside new Galatasaray center Erwin Dudley – lasts season at Besiktas Milangaz, which they led to a masterful season resulting in the Turkish League, Turkish Cup and EuroChallenge titles. Hawkins tallied 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the Turkish League and upped those numbers to 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the playoffs to lead his team to glory. He is also a veteran of the highest levels with five Euroleague seasons under his belt with three teams in the Euroleague. And Hawkins averaged double figures in scoring in each of them. Hawkins is known for his all-around skills, including on the defensive end, where his Euroleague career average of 1.91 steals per game ranks eighth all-time.

Hawkins played college basketball at Temple University, where he was named to the All Atlantic Ten First Team as a senior following the 2003-04 season. He began his professional career the following season in the Italian second division with Rieti. After a spectacular debut, midway through the season he moved to the Italian capital to join Lottomatica Roma. He played there for three seasons until 2007-08, the year the team reached the Italian finals and lost to Montepaschi Siena. In 2006, Hawkins was elected MVP of the Italian Cup despite his team's loss to Napoli. He then played one season for Armani Milano, moved to Siena for one year and then moved back to Milan for the 2010-11 campaign. Last season Hawkins moved on from Italy to join Besiktas, where he enjoyed a brilliant year.

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