CHENZHOU (FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2016) - It has been only two days in, but already Justin Hawkins of Iraq’s Al Shorta has been tearing up the competition and putting up huge numbers in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2016 in Chenzhou-Hunan, China.

The 2.03m forward-center started the tournament with aplomb, scoring 32 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and netting 3 steals against the home team, China Kashgar, on Day 1. He played solidly opposite more ballyhooed foes like former NBA player Andray Blatche and 2016 NBA draftee Zhou Qi. Al Shorta came up short in that game, but Hawkins proved that he could more than hold his own.

On Day 2, the Iraqi side rebounded with a win over the Malaysia Dragons, and, once again, Hawkins was a big contributor. The native of Bell, California posted 33 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals in their team’s maiden win, once again proving that he has what it takes to be among the tournament’s most productive players. He was named part of the Top 5 players on Day 2, and he should continue being a dominant inside force for Al Shorta.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Hawkins, a journeyman in the NBA D-League and the international scene, takes this all in stride and relishes in the momentary spotlight. He has been on a long trek in his basketball career, which has taken him to France, Belarus, Finland, Saudi Arabia and, of course, Iraq. He has never been named to an official NBA roster, but he has been well decorated internationally, even winning the Belarus Premier League championship in 2012 with BC Tsmoki-Minsk.

Now he has the opportunity to give Al Shorta a legitimate shot at some hardware, and, coupled with the Iraqi national team’s commendable performance in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016, that would be an amazing cap to a wonderful year for Iraqi basketball.

FIBA