This season, the Texas Tech basketball team will be primarily strengthened by head coach Grant McCasland and his staff, who made several moves over the summer. One of the most important additions to the roster is senior point guard Elijah Hawkins, a transfer who played in Minnesota last season.
Currently, Hawkins has the honor of being named to the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List. In fact, he is one of only 20 players named to the watch list announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Cowsey Award is given annually to the nation’s top point guard. Previous recipients include Tristen Newton of Connecticut (2024), Marquis Norwell of Kansas (2023), Ayo Dosunmu of Illinois (2021), Ja Morant of Murray State (2019) and Villanova State. Jalen Brunson (2018), Trey Burke of Michigan (2013), Kendall Marshall of North Carolina (2012), Kemba Walker of Connecticut (2011), Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph’s University (2004).
The award is named after 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy. He was a six-time NBA champion and was named the 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player.
Hawkins, for his part, arrived at Texas Tech with quite a bit of fanfare. Last season, his first season with Minnesota after two years at Howard University, he averaged 9.5 points and 7.5 assists per game.
Bob Cousey Award 🤝 Elijah Hawkins pic.twitter.com/r5mmHDAelg
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) October 28, 2024
In his career, he has recorded 1,077 points, 588 assists, 169 steals, and 10 double-doubles. Last season, he ranked fourth in the nation with 247 total assists and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Other members on this Cousy Award watchlist include Mark Sears (Alabama), Jeremy Roach (Baylor), Tyrese Proctor (Duke), Walter Clayton (Florida), Malik Mack (Georgetown), Ryan – Includes Nembhard (Gonzaga) and Miles Rice (Indiana). Tammin Lipsey (Iowa State), Darjuan Harris (Kansas State), Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State), Elliott Cadeau (North Carolina State), Marcus Burton (Notre Dame), Bruce Thornton ( Ohio State University), Ace Baldwin (Penn State University), Braden Smith (Purdue), Dylan Harper (Rutgers), Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee), Jordan Pope (Texas), Wade Taylor (Texas A&M).
