Hawes awes high major programs

6-foot-11 225 pound junior center Spencer Hawes from Seattle Prep in Seattle, WA has been attracting a ton of high major interest this fall. Rivals.com caught up with the 8th ranked prospect overall in the Class of 2006 on Sunday evening for an update on his recruiting process and a preview of his upcoming season.

Hawes told us that his list currently stands at 11 schools. "Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Kansas, Texas, Stanford, UCLA, Arizona, Washington, Gonzaga, and Notre Dame are the schools recruiting me right now," he said.

NC State, Kansas, Texas, UCLA, Arizona, and Washington have already offered scholarships, and Hawes told us he had several visitors to an open gym workout this fall. "Coach Johnson from Stanford, Coach Howland from UCLA, Coach Robinson from North Carolina, Coach Self from Kansas, Coach Romar from Washington, Coach Kent from Oregon, they were all there. Also, Notre Dame, Gonzaga, and NC State came," Hawes stated. He's been on campus at both Washington and Gonzaga, but not since they've started recruiting him.

What has all of these coaches intrigued is a combination of good hoops bloodlines, as both his father and his uncle played Division I college basketball at Washington, and superb size and skill for a true back to the basket center. Hawes moves very well, has excellent footwork in the post, and a feathery touch. His fundamental play and aggressiveness more than make up for a lack of out of this world athleticism.

Playing on a team with a bonafide superstar like University of Washington signee 6-foot-7 wing Martell Webster doesn't hurt either when it comes to college attention.

"I've seen all of the best players in the Class of 2005, and when Martell is healthy and in shape, no one in the country is better than he is," Hawes told us.

Hawes averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game last year at Seattle Prep. They finished 19-7 while playing all but 4 games without Webster. They are expecting much bigger things this year, with a trip to Florida for the City of Palms tournament planned as their big coming out party.

"We haven't been the type of program to travel much, but with Martell this year and a new coach this trip is a great opportunity for us," he said. "Tryouts for the team are Monday, so we're all excited."

On the summer circuit, while much of the attention was on Webster and other high profile Friends of Hoop Seattle teammates like Jon Brockman and Micah Downs, Hawes more than held his own.

"Kevin Durant and Vernon Macklin were the two toughest guys I faced this past summer," he said. "I played against a lot of bigger guys at the Nike All-America Camp, but most of them weren't very skilled. Those two really challenged me with their skill and athletic ability."

Hawes said that he's looking for a program with both a deep tradition and recent success. He wants the right academic fit, and a situation that would allow him to make an immediate impact and develop his game for next level.