Matthew (Moose) Lopez
Social Media Editor
Parabron Hawkins, a Texas A&M University-San Antonio graduate and former guard with the Rec Sports basketball club, has become the first student from the university to sign a professional basketball contract.
Hawkins signed with KK Lovcen 1947, a men’s pro basketball club in Cetinje, Montenegro.
On March 10, in Houston, Hawkins participated in a combine where 60 players showcased their skills for teams around the world. Out of the 30 players that would be drafted, Montenegro selected Hawkins with the 14th pick.
The signing took place on March 28 in Patriots’ Casa, where Hawkins’ family, friends, former teammates and recreational sports staff gathered to witness his commitment to KK Lovcen 1947.
As a member of the A&M-San Antonio men’s basketball club, Hawkins helped the team win their first championship in 2022.
Before the contract was presented, head coach Eric Leung opened the ceremony with an anecdote about meeting Hawkins for the first time.
Leung described how impressed he was with Hawkins’ work ethic and commitment to the team. Whether it was coming to practice or helping run the team’s social media, “Parabron was at the center of it all,” Leung said.
Hawkins, who is scheduled to leave for Cetinje Monday, April 3, spoke next, detailing the journey that led him to signing a professional basketball contract. Originally from Philadelphia, he moved to San Antonio as a pre-teen to attend John Marshall High School.
Hawkins’ mother, Asia Hawkins-Richardson, shared a story about a younger Hawkins telling her that he wanted to go play basketball overseas.
“He told me he wanted to play in China,” Hawkins-Richardson said. “And I said, ‘China!?’”
She described how proud she was of Hawkins’ consistency and how far he’s come.
“This was a journey, and we finally got to the end,” Hawkins-Richardson said. “He kept his promises, and he persevered.”
Hawkins credited those who helped him on the road to the pros. He said that none of the things he’s achieved would be possible without the people in his environment.
“I’m a child of all the support,” Hawkins said.
Although Hawkins may be all the way in Montenegro, he assured everyone at the signing that he will always be a phone call away.
Hawkins will join KK Lovcen 1947 for the remainder of their regular season. The contract fully guarantees his salary and status as a member of KK Lovcen, regardless of extraneous circumstances that prevent him from playing, such as injury. Once the season is over, he will be able to negotiate for an extension.
He credited the Recreational Sports department, the athletics department and Darnell Smith as key contributors to his success from A&M-San Antonio. Smith is the director of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports at the university.
“They’ve done a great job in supporting us on and off the court,” Hawkins said. “They’ve given me the ability and the tendencies to actually be able to fulfill these roles, here at A&M-San Antonio.”
