Changes abound for Kansas University’s basketball team this season — whether it be a new coach, new court or even new clothes.
But for sophomore guard Jeff Hawkins, the biggest change is that he will start this season from scratch.
“The biggest thing to me that has changed is that everyone has a clean slate,” said the Kansas City, Kan., native.
“I have a clean slate myself,” said Hawkins, who at times last year seemed to be in former KU coach Roy Williams’ doghouse as a second-year freshman.
“I don’t want to say that I was in the doghouse. I would say he had his reasons. But I’m just really excited to have this clean start with coach Self.”
Indeed, the introduction of first-year coach Bill Self could create a second chance for Hawkins.
“Trust me, there’s guys at Illinois that are happy I’m gone,” Self said. “Hopefully, they like me, but you know something a new coach does. It gets everyone back on a level playing field.”
That might not be a bad thing for Hawkins, who saw only limited duty on last year’s NCAA Final Four team.
While he played in 29 of Kansas’ 38 games, Hawkins averaged just 1.2 points per contest with only a .205 shooing percentage.
Those numbers were a far cry from the stats he posted in high school at Kansas City Sumner Academy.
Not only did Hawkins help his Sabres to the Class 4A state title as a junior, but he was an all-state player his senior season, averaging 19.6 points per game, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals.
While limited playing time and the jump to the Division One level contributed to Hawkins’ slow collegiate start, he said he spent the summer preparing himself mentally and physically to be able to step in whenever needed.
Hawkins said that while he spent a great deal of time in the gym working on shooting and other skills, it was basic maneuvers without a basketball where he made the most improvement.
“Mostly footwork, that’s what he’s big on — footwork,” Hawkins said of Self. “I think it will be really beneficial to have better footwork.”
A new physical conditioning program implemented by Self known as “Boot Camp” also helped, Hawkins said.
“Boot Camp actually made a lot of the players tougher,” Hawkins said. “We thought we couldn’t do some things, but Boot Camp let us know we can.”
If Hawkins has his way, he said he hopes this season will match that fall training session.
“It’s hard for me to say really,” Hawkins said in speculating about his role. “I still don’t know what to expect.”
