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Eagles get a Top Grad Transfer in Deontae Hawkins

It's been a long time coming, but the Boston College Eagles finally landed a big and much needed piece to their 2017 recruiting class on Monday night.

The Eagles hosted Illinois State graduate transfer Deontae Hawkins on an official visit and before the trip ended on Monday night, he pledged his intent to transfer and enroll at Boston College to play for the Eagles this upcoming season.

As a grad transfer, the 6-foot-8, 235-pound Hawkins is eligible to play immediately.

Deontae Hawkins committed to BC on Monday night (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)
Deontae Hawkins committed to BC on Monday night (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)

"As soon as I got on campus the coaching staff blew me away with everything they had set-up for me on the visit," Hawkins told EagleAction shortly after his commitment to Boston College.

Hawkins goes by the nickname, "Teddy" said of the trip and commitment, "it felt right and it felt good". Teddy led his Redbirds team in scoring (14) and rebounds (6.5) last season on a squad that won 28 games and won the regular season MVC title. He was selected as the conferences Most Improved Player and named to the All-MVC Second Team at the years end.

"I couldn't pass up the chance to play with two future NBA guards in Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson," Hawkins said. "And to go along with the most important thing, I'm going to be able to get my masters degree from a great school, no one in my family even has a degree," he said excitedly.

Hawkins will complete his degree from Illinois State later this summer while finishing up a few online courses at home in Dayton, Ohio. He will enroll at Boston College at the start of the fall semester.

"I'm just really excited for this opportunity to play at the highest level possible in the ACC."

Hawkins is a stretch four with a lot of playing experience. Which is exactly what the Eagles needed. He's played in 92 career games and has 84 starts under his belt. Hawkins also told EagleAction that he takes pride in playing defense

A big part of his commitment to BC was that he would agree to mentor and help bring along the talented younger big's already on the roster. "That was a big thing that Coach Christian and I talked about throughout the visit. He wanted me to help bring along the younger big men already there. Teach them about playing at the college level, how to win games, and be effective all over the floor," Hawkins explained. "I accepted that leadership opportunity and I'm excited about taking on that task."

The Eagles had to beat out the likes of Michigan, SMU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and several others for Hawkins. The recruiting charge was led by BC's top recruiter Scott Spinelli.

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