The Corner, featuring Jordan Hawkins (Player Spotlight)

Player Spotlight – Jordan Hawkins

Sophomore | Varsity Basketball | Gaithersburg MD

As a freshman starter on Varsity, he helped lead his Gaithersburg Trojans to a Regional Championship and to the State Semifinals at University of Maryland.

What has helped you develop the leadership mindset you have today?

Knowing that my team looks at me and how I respond to things has made me have more of a leadership mindset.  Also, my coaches are looking to me to have leadership mindset because they look at me as a player that’s a coach on the court.

How do you think improving as a leader has helped you become a better athlete/player?

Improving as a leader has made me a better athlete because I can make the people around me better and I always have to make sure I’m at my best so I can keep improving everyday.

How do you think improving as a leader has helped your team?

My leadership is helping the team by making everyone better on the court and making sure we have the same goal.  I’m working much harder and more aware of making sure we’re all becoming one.

Was there a moment where you recall “turning the corner” and realizing you had to take the next step as a leader?

After last year, losing the state semifinals. I knew if we wanted to get back next year I would have to be the leader on the team and make everyone better. I had to step up.

What do you different now that you may not have done in the past as a leader?

I learn how to get people on my side, and criticizing my teammates without them getting upset, but if they do I speak to them and tell them what they did wrong; so I say I matured a lot. Coach Holda on Jordan Hawkins Jordan has always led by example but we’ve asked him to do more for us. He sits in the front row during meetings and film study, he asks questions and when practice isn’t going well, he asks for the ball.  He puts guys where they be on the court.  He’s taking over the responsibilities of the coaching staff, which is exactly what we want.

Coach Bradley on Jordan Hawkins: I’ve had a chance to work with Jordan for the last year through the season as well as the recent Lead ‘Em Up Training Camp.  Oftentimes the growth I see in players comes in the little things and that’s what I’ve seen with Jordan.  I can feel a growth around Jordan simply in conversation, how he carries himself, his body language and his eye contact; he feels like a completely different person.  I recognize the little things like him congratulating me on my recent baby and hearing that after I had my baby he was the one who shared the news with the rest of the coaching staff.  He now offers to volunteer in each of our Lead ‘Em Up exercises, is getting others locked-in and re-focused.  I see a greater enthusiasm and passion for the game from him and he’s become so much more intentional in trying to build up his teammates.