Temple MBB Alumni Spotlight: David Hawkins

Temple MBB Spotlight: David Hawkins

A three-time all-Atlantic 10 and all-Big 5 honoree, David Hawkins is one of only four Temple men's basketball players to score over 2,000 career points, finishing his remarkable career (2000-04) third on the program's scoring list with 2,077 points. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 and Temple Athletics Hall of Fames in 2023.

As a senior in 2003-04, he averaged 24.4 points per game, third best in Temple history and third in the nation that season. He also made the fourth most field goals (694) and free throws (466) in program history and his 613 rebounds ranks 24th all-time at Temple. He averaged double figures all four seasons, including 10.4 points per game as a freshman on the 2001 NCAA Elite Eight team.

Hawkins went on to play professionally in Europe, with stops in Italy and Turkey. His best seasons came with Italian powerhouse Virtus Roma (2005-08), where he starred in ULEB's Eurocup, averaging 18.5 points and 2.9 steals per game and helping Roma reach the 2006 quarterfinal.

He has continued his career in the Big 3, playing every season of the novel professional league's existence. He won his first league championship in 2022 playing with Trilogy.

Talk about your decision to come to Temple to play for John Chaney?
"Coming out of high school I had committed to Tulane for family reasons, but then the coach left Tulane and I was able to get out of my commitment. So, then I was able to go to Temple which was the school I always wanted to go to.
I remember Coach Chaney coming to visit and I knew from there that Temple was the place I wanted to go. I recall him talking to my mother and how he made her feel comfortable and he made me feel comfortable to. He was just a coach I wanted to play for."

Talk about your incredible career, which was capped by a senior season where you were among the nation's leading scorers and became just the third player in Temple history to score 2,000 career points?
"I remember in the beginning of my career being spoiled by Temple's name and reputation. Temple and the NCAA Tournament were synonymous. I recall our Elite Eight run and then people being so sad in the locker room, especially the seniors. I remember all the tears and thinking well we will be back next year. I really thought that, but then I realized that it was not the case.

I was spoiled having Lynn Greer and Quincy Wadley for that run. Looking back, I know how blessed we were making the tournament and getting that far.

My position on the team became stronger following that year. I had more responsibility; Coach Chaney trusted me and allowed me to play free. By instilling that confidence in me, giving me a neon green light and allowing me the room to make mistakes. That allowed me to play free and grow as a player.

You are still the last player to score 40 points in a game - and your 2,000th as well – against UMass at home during your senior season. Talk about that game?
"It makes it even more special now, knowing that it was the last time someone scored 40 for Temple. I did not know that.

I remember coming into that game and barring any injuries or anything crazy happening that I was on the road to 2,000. What I did not expect was to do it that night. That is what made it special because the game after that was against Xavier and on Senior Night. I wanted to do it on Senior Night as it felt like I was expected to do it then. But the UMass game, going into double overtime and winning that game in that fashion, that made it stand out more."

Talk about your career overseas. What stands out the most from your travels?
"I remember getting released by the (Houston) Rockets and trying to figure out what the next move was. I was married and had children, I had to do what was best for them. If it was just me, I could have given myself the chance to try the (NBA) D-League or trying to stay home but since I had a family I decided to go to Italy. I had no idea what European Basketball was like, but I remember telling my agent to sign me with who is paying the most. So, I went with a second division team in Italy even though I had offers from first division teams, but for less money.

Once I went over and played in the second division. I played with the mentality of getting back to the NBA. What I found out later on in my career was that they did not need you to score 30 or more points. It is more of a team game.   An opponent can better scout a team when one player scores 30 as opposed to a team with players all averaging in the teens. It is tougher scouting that balanced team as on any given night a different player can come up big.

I was 30 minutes from Rome and the Mayor of Rome called our team's president and said I want David Hawkins. Rome was where the first division team was. After two months I am in Rome about to play in the playoffs. So after that season I re-signed in Rome then I went to Milan. I stayed in Italy for eight seasons with three different teams. I was able to experience Euroleague, the Cup, a tournament they play in the middle of the season. It was all great experiences for me, and I learned a lot. I felt like my game improved because I learned to do more than score."

You had a lot of success in the Big 3 league. How fun has that been for you?
"The Big 3 came at the right time as I was done playing overseas. It was an opportunity to play against the pros. They wanted it to be basically the NBA retirement league with all ex-NBA players. So, the fact that I had a small stint with the Rockets gave me a little leeway but that was not what they were really looking for so I had to prove myself.

The first season I played as a reserve. They have five players on the team and one reserve who does not travel unless they are playing. The first year I played like four games. Allen Iverson was my coach. The second year I made it to the Draft as I was overseas when they had the first Draft. That second year I decided to leave my overseas team and went to the Big 3 tryout, and I was drafted by Dr. J. That was awesome. So I am on a team with Nate Robinson, Jermaine O'Neal, Bonzie Wells and Amari Stoudamire. I am just thinking I am going to be a piece, but Dr. J comes up to me and said 'I did not draft you to fit in. I drafted you to standout.'

At this point a lot of guys did not know what the Big 3 was. During the winter they had their own jobs where they were not as active in basketball as me.   I was still playing in Europe, but not at as high a level as I had been. So, I was in shape and ready.   That year I ended up being the runner up for MVP. I made a name for myself. Ice Cube, the league's owner, said, 'because of players like David Hawkins we have to open (the league) up to players who competed in Europe.' So, I played on the floor with Nate Robinson, Steven Jackson, Kenyon Martin, and Cuttino Mobley and because of my success it opened up a path for other players.

I played in the Big 3 every season, whether as a reserve or years where I was a co-captain, then you do not have to worry about being drafted. Then there was the pandemic year, which was the year I was shot in my shoulder.   I was out of town playing basketball and someone tried to rob us, and I was shot. So, then I was not depressed, but disappointed. I gave my life to basketball and because of basketball my life was almost taken. I thought basketball was over for me and I still have the bullet in my shoulder.   I was able to recover, come back and play the next year in the Big 3. Last season we won the championship, my first in the Big 3.   This year we had a good run but lost to a team that was better.

You were inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame last year. How special was that for you?
"It is always special to be recognized when you are able to see yourself recognized. There are players that go into Halls of Fame after they pass. Even though I am young, it still could have been the case for me.   That is why it is special for me, as it could have been me. So for me to experience it, and my family to experience it meant a lot. I just wish Coach Chaney could have been there as well, but that is a part of life."

What advice would you like to share to this current group of Temple players?
"I would tell them from my experiences in life and at Temple to make the most of your time when you can because there are not replays. When it is over, it is over. First of all, you are blessed to be here. It is an honor to play for a program like Temple. So leave your mark and you do that by not cheating yourself. It is simple things, like touching the lines on sprints. Your coach may not see it. Your teammates may not see it, but you know you did it. That little extra step could be the difference from you hitting the free throw at the end of a tough game. As minute as that is, it is real. Those details matter.

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Temple MBB Alumni Spotlight: David Hawkins

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