im sure that's something they would consider... especially if a guy like gordon or westbrook falls to them.
LAS CRUCES — Justin Hawkins has been waiting for this day for some time. So much so, he can't even bare to watch. Hawkins, the former New Mexico State University basketball standout, is bracing himself for Thursday night's NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7 guard, who averaged 18.1 points per game last season for the Aggies, said that he might be better served keeping his distance from the television set as selection time approaches. "A little bit of both," Hawkins said when asked if he was nervous or excited over the prospects of being drafted. "I just hope to get my name called. Honestly, I probably won't even watch the draft. I know my hole family will, but I'm just going to go to the gym and workout. I'm going to be too nervous." Hawkins said that he believes there is a good chance he could be selected by a professional team if things fall the right way. Hawkins said that the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets have all told him they were interested in his services and could pull the trigger on draft night. Hawkins said his best chance of getting selected lie in pick No. 40 on down. There are 60 slots available in the draft, which is being held tonight in New York City. Coverage will Thursday at 5 p.m., MDT on ESPN. "I shot the ball well this summer," Hawkins said. "The only workout I had that I didn't shoot the ball well was with the Clippers. That was the only time I got negative feedback. Other than that, I felt like I played well." Hawkins did it all for the Aggies, scoring from inside, outside and being a presence in the paint. The reality in the NBA is that if you are 6-foot-7, knocking down the perimeter shot on a consistent basis is a prerequisite for any player looking to compete for a job. Hawkins said he feels like his outside game has excelled and doesn't want to be grouped as a someone who gets trapped between shooting guard and small forward. "My strength is the 2-guard (shooting guard)," Hawkins said. "I don't want to be considered a 3 (small forward) or a tweener or anything like that. And I'm definitely not a 4 (power forward). I can play the 2 and play it well." http://www.lcsun-news.com/sports/ci_9692104
