Nov. 15, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Cliff Hawkins, a 6-1, 180-pound guard at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is the first high school senior to sign a national letter-of-intent with the University of Kentucky in the fall signing period, Coach Tubby Smith announced today.

Hawkins, a native Dumfries, Va., helped the Warriors to a perfect 32-0 record last season and a final No. 1 ranking by USA Today, ESPN and The Associated Press. Oak Hill also was crowned national champion.

“Cliff is a tough and tenacious defender who’s been an important part of a championship program,” Coach Smith said. “He understands what teamwork is all about and works to make others better. He’s not interested in padding his own stats, which was one of the first things that attracted us to him. He’s a point guard that knows how to push the ball up the court and he’s been well-schooled in the game, thanks to Coach Steve Smith at Oak Hill.”

As a junior, Hawkins averaged 11.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season while starting every contest. The southpaw, who his coach called the “best on the ball defender he’s ever coached,” also led the team in steals, averaging 3.9 per game. He shot 50.0 percent >from the field, 62.5 percent from the foul line and 30.0 percent from three-point range during the ’99 season.

Hawkins played his sophomore season at Potomac High School, leading the squad to a state runner-up finish. In the state semifinals, he held Ronald Curry, the 1998 National Player of the Year, to six points, while tallying 31 in the winning effort. He earned first team Class AAA All-State honors before transferring to Oak Hill.

Hawkins, who chose UK over New Mexico, played on the 1998 DC Team Assault summer AAU squad with current Wildcat Keith Bogans. The fall signing period, which began Nov. 10, ends on Wednesday.