Javontae Hawkins (196-G-1993, college: Fordham) is a 28 year old 196cm forward from Huntigton, West Virginia that finished his fifth professional season and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn averaging 15,5ppg, 3,6rpg and 1,1apg. 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 spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough game 5 loss to FC Bayern Munich that ended his season.

Thanks Javontae for talking to germanhoops.com. The amazing season of the Telekom Baskets Bonn has ended after a 5 game series fight with FC Bayern Munich. Was this the toughest loss in your professional career?

I would say it’s up there along with losing in the finals my rookie year in Finland after being the #1 seed. It’s definitely top 2 toughest loss for sure.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn were down 0-2 and went to Munich with the backs to the wall and won 2 games. Do you feel like maybe the team reached their peak in these two games?

That simply just shows the identity and character of the coaches and players this season. We worked hard to prepare for games like these. No one likes to come be down 0-2 in the playoffs so we locked in and went and got 2 win against a very great team.

How good did it feel winning 2 games in a row in Munich. I can’t remember a team ever doing that.

It felt good. We are professionals just as much as the next opponent so we always played and prepared to win the game no matter who we are playing.

FC Bayern Munich had a good start in game 5, but as usual the Telekom Baskets Bonn never gave up and fought hard. How instrumental was the 27 point third quarter by Munich for helping carry them to the win?

It was very instrumental from their side because they knew coming off 2 losses in a row would fuel them to play smarter and harder in game 5.

When you look at the total stats, Bonn led some categories with an incredible 5 turnovers, shot well from outside and hit 9 more free throws. Was the main damage done in the paint where Munich shot 70% and had 5 more offensive rebounds?

For sure, them making lay ups and offensive rebounding gave them an edge.

You came mid way through the season. When you look back at this magical season how would summarize the character of this team?


Tough, professional, and togetherness is the character this team showed all year.

We have spoken about your teammates in a previous interview but please describe how valuable veteran Karsten Tadda was for the team. As always he showed his sniper qualities and defensive play in the final. Please describe how he is truly more than just a 3 and D player?

He’s a leader, he’s a guy who’s been around for a while now. His leadership and will to win played a huge role in our team this season.

You played for the first time with undersized and for years off the radar player Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Have you ever been teammates with a guy that had a bigger heart than him?

I’ve been blessed to have played with guys like Jaylon Brown, DeWayne Russell and now Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Parker is a true warrior he doesn’t play like his size, he has a contagious passion about the game of basketball to him. He’s by far the most talented point guard I’ve played with in my career, he’s going to do great things and have a great career. Beyond proud of him for this MVP season.

Is the next step getting an opportunity in the Euroleague a realistic thing or will his size scare off teams?

Any Euroleague team that doesn’t take PJC next year will regret it. I believe his size doesn’t matter because he displayed what he can do against Euroleague teams.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright played out his heart again and had real MVP numbers with 25/10/4 stats. What words did you find for your teammate after the loss?

I simply just told him how proud I was of him, playing through adversity half of the year, and reassuring him that he’s going to have a long successful career.

You had another solid season averaging 15.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 77.5%. How would you summarize your season?

BLESSED! I thank God everyday for keeping me healthy and allowing me to have a promising and successful career/season. And it’s just a testament of hard work, it’s difficult to come back from ACL injury but with faith you can do anything. I’m a firm believer in that.

Stat wise it was similar to your season two years ago in Crailsheim. What steps did you take in your game considering the tough injury that you had last season forcing you to sit out?

The steps I took in my game was to do more while doing less, meaning learning my spots on offense, learning my opponents spots while defending them, and just working smarter and not harder. Using my pace to be effective.

You showed against Giessen and Frankfurt that you can step up your scoring to crazy proportions. Do you feel like your ready to make the next step as an explosive scorer?

I don’t label myself as a scorer, I just like the term basketball player. I go out and do what the team needs. Scoring is natural for me but I will never label myself as a scorer because I feel like I bring more to the table offensively and defensively.

Who was the toughest player that you faced this season on the court?

I would probably say Deshaun Thomas. He’s a legit 4 man who’s left handed and can score in the deep post in such an unorthodox efficient way.

It is no secret that your game clicks under tuomas Iisalo. Isn’t it logical to resign with the Telekom Baskets Bonn?


Awards/ My focus is to enjoy family time this summer and take my game to another level by improving my weaknesses.

You have played in countries like Greece and Finland, but were the Telekom Baskets Bonn the best fans that you have ever played for? Talk a little about your fondest memories with them?

100%. They were our 6th man. It’s none like the fans here at Telekom win or lose they are here to bring positivity and cheer you on.

On what area’s of your game will you be working on most in the lab this summer so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

Playmaking and just improving my shot more and more.

What are your plans for the summer. What place would you like to visit where you have never been before?

My plans are to enjoy my wife and family and get better at basketball.

What will a NBA title mean for the legacy of a Steph Curry and a Jayson Tatum?


I believe Steph would be considered in the goat conversation and Jayson Tatum would probably be the next best star in the league.

Thanks Javontae for the chat.