Javontae Hawkins (196-G-1993, college: Fordham) is a 28 year old 196cm forward from Huntigton, West Virginia that is playing his fifth professional season and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Last season he sat out because of injury. He played his third professional season with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim averaging15.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.4%. In 2018-2019 he played with Holargos B.C. (Greece-A1) playing 29 games averaging 11.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.5%. As a rookie he played with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 54 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 79.9%. He played NCAA basketball at three schools with S Florida from 2012-2014 playing 54 NCAA games, then had his break out season with Eastern Kentucky (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.5% and finished at Fordham (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 84.3%. He gave spoke to germanhoops.com after the big game one win over the Hamburg Towers.F

Congrats on the huge 100-98 win in game 1 against the Hamburg Towers. With such an exciting game one, can we expect games like this to continue?


Of course, this is the playoffs, both teams played hard and you’re not going to expect nothing less during intense playoff games like last night.

Hamburg had the one point lead at the break. Why couldn’t any team get away from the other?

They were executing their plays well the whole game and we just couldn’t seem to build a bigger margin of point difference so we had to fight literally to the end to seal the game.

In the third quarter the explosive guard duo of Brown and Homlesly kept scoring and combined for 47 points in the game. How key will it be slowing them down more between winning the series and not?

Thats the key, to make it as difficult as possible for not only JB and Homlesly but for their whole team, we have to be mentally locked in from the start. Those 2 guys have been on point all year, when they get going it’s tough to stop them both, much respect to those guys

How happy were you that the team trusted you in taking that big three to send the game into overtime?

It could’ve been any guy on the floor at the time to take and make that shot, however I believe the team had 100% in me and I’d have the same for them

Bonn called a time out with 4 seconds left in overtime. Was the play designed for you? Talk a little about that play?

The play was designed for whoever gets open, however coach and teammates trusted me with the ball in my hands and I had plenty of time to get a great look and thank God it showed how much hard work pays off.

Where does this game winner rank with all that you have hit in your career?

I think it ranks at #1 as of now because of how hard we fought to comeback and take the game after being down most of the game.

What has it been like playing together with Parker Jackson-Cartwright. You know how vital he is for the success of Bonn, but did it help to win the MVP more when TJ Shorts went down?

it’s been incredible, he’s like a little brother to me, I’m so proud of him and how hard he plays even through adversity, I don’t think he won MVP because of TJ becoming injured I think he won MVP because he worked hard and he deserved it, however TJ had an incredible MVP caliber season as well.

Even when Parker Jackson-Cartwright went down the Telekom Baskets Bonn still won 4 of 5 games. How important was for the team knowing it can win without him?

It’s not so much they we knew we can win without him, it’s more so about the character, identity and versatility this team displays. We knew it would be tough without PJC but that just meant guys have to step up even if it was uncomfortable and we showed great character in doing so.

What is the secret to the success winning games without Jackson-Cartwright and Jermey Morgan. Is it a combination of knowing your roles and just an incredible knack of having each other’s back no matter what?

Yes, absolutely it’s about being a star in your role and playing as a team and we did just that, I’m just happy those guys are back with us during these playoffs.

Talk a little about how vital guards Skyler Bowlin and Karsten Tadda are for the success of the team. Are these guys a good example of guys you love to hate but love to have on your own team?

These 2 guys have been big for us all year, those are our captains and more seasoned vets, they play a huge part in our team’s success with the dynamic experience and toughness they bring along with making big plays defensively and offensively down the stretch of games.

How precious has the input been for Justin Gorham since Jeremy Morgan has been out. What do you appreciate most about his game?

I appreciate his resilience and his response during adversity. Whenever he gets his name called JG always delivers for us whether it’s a rebound, a charge, or a huge shot, I’m so proud of how much he’s grown this year and he’s only a rookie

You came in December. How great was it coming back to play for your old coach Tuomas Iisalo? How is your role different here than in Crailsheim?

It was a blessing to come back and play for TI, it’s always good to get back with familiarity with personality, coaching system and style of play. My role is the same as it’s always been playing under TI nothing has changed but the year, and team.

You didn’t get many minutes at the start, but have been playing incredibly the last months. Was it a tough situation slowly getting into the rotation?

It wasn’t tough at all, I knew as well as the coaches and team knew I was on a minute restriction due to coming off a knee injury when I played in Ludwigsburg, so by God’s grace it was only a matter of time I would be able to get my rhythm with my new teammates

You had two 20 point plus games in March and then 4 in a row in April including back to back 30 point games. How do you explain this extreme heightening of your scoring?

Its something that’s a gift. It’s been an incredible year for me especially after sitting out last year so I’m just thankful for the opportunity I have at hand to showcase my abilities.

You demonstrated often that you are an incredible 1-1 scorer. Has that always been or did you work on that in your comeback?

I have always been a great 1-1 scorer since HS, I grew up playing 1-1 everyday with friends, so it’s kind of natural I would say.

You also have demonstrated that you can heave the very long three into the hoop. Did you take extra time watching Steph Curry videos?

I think the game has evolved to deeper range, but honestly I’ve been shooting deep range since I was a teenager. It’s kind of a natural feeling when you work on those type of shots in the off season and even during the season.

An interesting fact is that you have never averaged more than 1,0apg in a season. Is playmaking something your really keen to keep improving on?

I’m always looking to improve every aspect of my game, playmaking is actually one of my better attributes along with scoring and defending. However I’ve been never asked to be a playmaker so it’s never been my role.

What is your opinion of Charles Barkley’s assessment that Giannis would only come from the bench back in the day?

I believe Charles Barkley doesn’t under how Giannis is the most dominant player in NBA since Shaquille O’Neal, so there nothing else to be said. He’s wrong.

Do you feel like many of these legends from the 70’s and 80’s are a bit jealous of the crazy athleticism that guys have today?

I don’t think they’re jealous I just think they’re in denial about how much the game has evolved from a physical point.

What do you feel made Kendrick Perkins say he would take Russell Westbrook’s career over Allen Iverson’s?

To each it’s own as they say, personally I would take Allen Iverson based on how much he had an influence with my culture and how tough he was, but I would argue with Perkins statement because Westbrook has had an incredible career as well.

Who will reach the BBL final and win it all?

Only time will tell as we take it 1 game at a time I look forward to being in the BBL finals.

Thanks Javonte for the chat.

Tags : JAVONTAE HAWKINS, TELEKOM