A torn meniscus in the knee has knocked junior forward Chris Hawkins for the remainder of the season, Coach Josh Pastner announced in his postgame press conference after the win against Jacksonville State.
While Hawkins was dejected and could’ve possibly make a comeback at the end of the season, the team didn't want to take any unnecessary chances given his injury history, Pastner said.
“Chris Hawkins was not there tonight (at the Jacksonville State game), he is having surgery tomorrow morning,” Pastner said. “He wasn’t here because it was more about him getting mentally prepared (for the surgery) so I allowed him to stay behind. So our thoughts and prayers are with him while he goes through that surgery tomorrow. No matter what even if he could comeback and gets after the rehab four or five weeks. We’re going to be on the conservative and conscious side.”
Hawkins appeared in 18 games for the Tigers this season and made two starts. He averaged 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game this season. His last appearance of the season came in the 70-58 victory over East Carolina on Jan. 28 and played 16 minutes in the game.
The junior played the previous two seasons at Motlow State Community College and Southwest Community College, averaging 13.5 points on 62 percent shooting and 6.8 rebounds per game. However, his knee and ankle injuries limited him to only 31 appearances in those two seasons. Hawkins was still ranked the no.16 junior college player in the nation by memphis247.com.
Pastner said he hopes that he will be fully healthy next year because he can still help the Tigers.
“Hopefully, after this surgery, we can just let him just fully rehab and do his best to get as healthy,” Pastner said. “He is a very good player who can help us. It’s hard to help us if he’s injured and even for him mentally and hopefully in time he’ll get healthy.”
