Hawkins Completes Second Far East Trip with Reach USA

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior men’s basketball player Dominique Hawkins successfully completed his second trip to the Far East in conjunction with Reach USA for a cultural exchange trip. 

Hawkins joined eight other students for the cultural exchange basketball trip in order to learn more about the Far Eastern culture, while sharing the United States’ culture. 

“Not everyone is blessed with the little things that we have,” Hawkins said. “Some examples of that are clean water, clothes, food and shelter which were the biggest lessons I learned away from the court on this trip.

“My favorite part of the trip was being able to be around my high school teammate, Kenjah Bosley, again. He was a big part of why I went for a second time. On the court I learned that when I play with confidence, I’m a different player.”

Hawkins once again put together a productive performance on the court, as he did two years ago during his first journey. This time around he averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He topped double-figure scoring twice, including a 15-point performance that was highlighted by four made 3-pointers. He also had an 11-point, seven-assist outing. 

The 2016 Reach USA trip featured games against opponents from China and Lithuania. Other students who joined Hawkins on the trip hailed from Duquesne, Kentucky Wesleyan, Southern Mississippi, Southern University, Troy, Virginia Intermont and Western Kentucky. 

Hawkins has played in 83 games with nine starts in his three-year career with the Wildcats. He has scored more than 100 points and hauled in more than 60 rebounds. He enjoyed a memorable performance as a junior in helping UK knock off rival Louisville in December. Hawkins scored a career-high 13 points, which included a 3-for-4 performance from behind the arc. 

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