By Jason Erickson
When
Isaac Hawkins runs onto the floor inside the UCCU Center, he is not stepping into a random college arena. He is stepping into a building that has been part of his family story for decades. Long before Isaac became a Division I forward at Utah Valley, his father, Jacob Hawkins, played in the same arena during Utah Valley State College's junior college days.
For Isaac, wearing a Utah Valley jersey is more than an opportunity. It feels like life coming full circle.
"I always thought it would be awesome to play at a place where my dad played," Hawkins said. "It means a lot to be here now."
Hawkins was born in Murray, Utah, but grew up all over the country. His father's career in retail took the family from Utah to New Jersey, then to the Chicago area, and finally to Fort Mill, South Carolina, the place Isaac now calls his hometown. He is the middle of five children, with an older sister, an older brother, a younger sister and a younger brother in a family that always seemed to find its footing together in each new city.
"We got especially close because every time we moved, none of us had friends yet," Hawkins said. "Our family relied on each other."
Basketball was always there. His dad played. His parents are both tall. Isaac grew up watching his father run in open gyms and being coached by him and his older brother. He was the only one in the family who stayed with basketball as his siblings gravitated to volleyball.
By the time he finished high school in South Carolina, Hawkins had Division I interest. That is when he made a choice that changed his path. Instead of signing and heading straight to college, he left to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Puerto Rico and the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.
A lot of schools did not like that idea.
"A lot of the Division I schools that recruited me did not really want me to serve a mission," Hawkins said. He knew some offers would not be there when he came home, but he trusted that if he put God first, everything would work out.
On paper, it was a risky decision. In reality, it became one of the defining chapters of his life. He grew, he served, and he still found time in the mornings to find outdoor courts and get shots up so basketball would not completely slip away.
When his mission ended, his path did not go straight to a four-year school. Instead, he headed to the College of Southern Idaho, a junior college program led by head coach Jeff Reinert. Years earlier, Reinert had been the head coach at Utah Valley State College from 1994 to 2002. He had also coached Isaac's father during his UVSC days during the 1993-94 and 1996-97 seasons, creating a connection that tied both generations back to Orem.
"Going to junior college was not the dream, but it was what I needed," Hawkins said. "Coach Reinert believed in me and helped me grow into a Division I player."
His time at CSI, from limited minutes as a freshman behind a high major transfer to a larger role and a confidence boost in summer showcases, helped him see that he could play at the next level. That is when Utah Valley came back into the picture. The Wolverines had recruited him, but COVID made it difficult to connect in person. When they called again, the fit felt different. It felt right.
Hawkins took his visit, met the staff, watched how they played and talked through their vision for him. He appreciated their honesty and believed he could compete at their level. The chance to play in the same program where his dad once played made it even more meaningful.
"My dad was blown away when he saw campus again," Hawkins said. "He kept saying how crazy it is to see how big Utah Valley has gotten."
Now nearly the entire Hawkins family is back in Utah. His parents live in Mapleton, and his siblings have made their way back to the state as well, with one younger sister currently serving a mission of her own. For the first time in his life, Isaac is playing where a large group of family and friends can see him regularly.
"It is the first time most of my family has ever been able to watch me play in person," he said. "They can just drive home after games. That is pretty special."
On the floor, Hawkins is focused on doing the things that help Utah Valley win. He talks about excelling in his role, crashing the glass, defending, running in transition and playing with a high motor. He believes that if he does those things, the offense and everything else will take care of itself.
He carries the lessons he watched in his dad, who was known for hustle and effort, and pairs them with his own goals beyond basketball. He wants to be a great husband and a great dad. He wants people to remember that he worked hard and treated everyone with kindness, whether they are a fan, a manager or a coach.
"I love basketball, but I hope people do not just see me as a basketball player," Hawkins said. "I hope they see someone who is kind to everyone."
In many ways, the story has already come full circle. His father once played in this arena in Utah Valley's junior college era. His father's coach later guided Isaac through junior college. His family has returned to Utah. And now Isaac is on the floor at the UCCU Center, writing his own chapter in the same place where his dad's journey helped begin it all.
"It is special," Hawkins said. "Not many people get to say they play where their dad once did."
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