Hawkins game winning three-pointer makes NJCAA Top Play

Javaunte Hawkins knew he hit a big shot last week in an overtime victory over Allen Community College but had no idea that it would make the NJCAA Top Play of the week.

"It feels great," said Hawkins on making the top play. " I owe it all to my coaches and teammates for allowing me to be in the position to make the play."

Grizzly freshman point-guard Javaunte Hawkins connected on a game-winning 3-pointer from 27 feet out with 6.5 seconds remaining in overtime to cap Butler's 93-90 come-from-behind victory over Allen at the Power Plant earning him top play of the week.

Hawkins, who finished with 23 points, hit two long-range treys – a 24-footer near the end of regulation to pull the hosts within one, then added the long-range dagger in overtime to put the finishing touches of Butler's comeback victory. The wild contest saw the Grizzlies trail by as many as 13 in the second half, including an eight-point deficit with 1:48 remaining in regulation.

"He made 50 3-pointers and 10 from all five spots on the floor," Fisher said about Hawkins' efforts following practice. "I continue to have a lot of confidence in him. It may sound weird to say this, but I was pretty comfortable with him shooting the ball – maybe a little early in the clock – but I liked the ball in his hands to be able to make the play."

"Coach (Fisher) trusts me, so we had a play where I would work off a ball screen at the top," Hawkins said. "I got the switch after the screen and he wasn't up on me, so I had to let it go and the three happened to fall."

This is the first time that the Grizzlies have earned the top spot in the NJCAA Plays of the Week.