Long Beach Jam Sign Juaquin Hawkins
November 24, 2003 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Laguneros News Release
LONG BEACH, CA â The American Basketball Association (ABA) Long Beach Jam franchise announced today the signing of high-flying 6-foot-7 forward, Juaquin Hawkins. Hawkins, a former Long Beach State 49er, is looking for another shot at the NBA, following his rookie season with the Houston Rockets last year.
Hawkins, 30, was picked up by the Golden State Warriors following his stay with the Rockets, but was released by the Warriors in October. He joins the Jam following a brief sojourn with the Harlem Globetrotters. Hawkins, known more for his defense and athleticism, averaged 2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg and shot 41.7% from 3-point range (10-of-24) for the Houston Rockets last season. Hawkins, also know as "Hawk," started 10 games for the Rockets and had career-highs in a Nov. 22, 2002 game against the Washington Wizards when he scored 14 points, pulled down eight boards and dished five assists. Hawkins played for the ABA's Southern California Surf team during the 2001-02 season. He averaged 13.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.5 apg and 2.4 spg for the Surf. Hawkins was a member of Toyota Alvark in the Japanese Basketball League in 2000-01. During the 1999-2001 season, he played for former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Keith Smart as a member of the Fort Wayne Fury in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Hawkins, a member of the McDonald's All-America Team in high school, played college ball at Long Beach State University. During his senior season at LBSU (1995-96), he averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.
"Juaquin Hawkins is an extremely gifted and unselfish player who always contributes positively to every category in the box score," said Jam President Steve Chase. "He belongs in the NBA and showed he can play at that level last season with the Houston Rockets."
The Jam won their season opener 144-109 against the Gallos de Pelea of Juarez, Mexico. The team heads to Tijuana, Mexico to play their next two games against the Tijuana Diablos, Thursday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 29. The home opener against the Fresno HeatWave tips off Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Long Beach State Pyramid. The team will feature the up-tempo, high-scoring style of former Los Angeles Lakers World Champion, former Loyola Marymount Lion and current Jam Head Coach Paul Westhead.
Individual game tickets are on sale now and available for purchase by visiting the Long Beach State Pyramid box office, or by phone at 562-985-4949 and 888-4-JAM-TIX. Prices range from $5 for children, senior citizens and military, to $10-15 for reserved seating.
For more information about the Long Beach Jam, call 323-655-4286 or 562-799-8100. For ABA league and individual team information, please visit www.ABALive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from November 24, 2003
- Long Beach Jam Sign Juaquin Hawkins - Maywood Laguneros
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