Logan’s Derek Hawthorne Jr. Moves up to NCAA Division 1

CARTERVILLE -- A second John A. Logan men's basketball player has signed a national letter of intent to attend an NCAA Division I school. Derek Hawthorne Jr., has signed with Tennessee-Martin after teammate Jaiveon Eaves signed with Murray State. Both schoolscompete in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"It is great to see our players receive NCAA Division I scholarships," said Logan coach Kyle Smithpeters. They came to Logan to improve their skill set so they could advance to NCAA Division I and after a lot of hard work they helped us have a great season and in turn both were recruited by numerous Division I schools." 

Hawthorne, who averaged 13 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, decided to continue his career at UT-Martin.  "Hawk is an overall good player who should step right in for the Skyhawks," said Smithpeters. "He came to us after spending a year at a small NAIA school with hopes of landing a Division I scholarship and he was able to fulfill that dream."

"I was able to get bigger and stronger while at Logan," Hawthorne said. "I will be fun when Jaiveon and I go head to head in OVC play."

Logan finished the season with a record of 26-6 and ranked 22nd nationally.