Spencer Hawes
University of Washington
Washington's highest-rated recruit ever ... The No. 1 prospect in the Best in the West poll compiled by the Long Beach Press-Telegram ... College choice came down to a decision between Washington and North Carolina ... The nation's No. 2 prep prospect in the Bob Gibbons' All-Star Report ... Named preseason second-team High School All-American by Street & Smith's magazine ... Son of former Husky basketball player Jeff Hawes (1972-74) and the nephew of Steve Hawes (1970-72) who was named to Washington's All-Century team ... Steve Hawes was UW's 2006 inductee into the Pac-10 Basketball Hall of Honor and averaged 8.4 points per game over 10 NBA seasons (1974-85).
Seattle Prep High School (Seattle, Wash.)
A McDonald's All-American ... Also garnered All-America accolades from Parade Magazine and EA Sports ... Selected to the five-member 2006 USA Today All-USA Prep Basketball first team ... Honored as the 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Washington ... Averaged 19.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 3.0 assists as a senior ... Led the Panthers to the 2006 state Class 3A championship ... The MVP of the state tournament ... Named the Seattle Times' State High School Male Player of the Year ... Averaged 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a junior ... Graduated with a 3.70 grade point average ... Received academic accolades as a member of the Dean's List, President's List and the Honor Roll.
USA Basketball
Led all scorers with 24 points and added 10 rebounds, leading the United States under-18 men's team to a 104-82 triumph over Argentina in the gold medal game of the 2006 FIBA Americas under-18 Championship ... Averaged 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds during the tournament ... The U.S. team was coached by Hawes' college coach, Lorenzo Romar ... Debuted for USA Basketball in April of 2006 as a member of the 2006 USA Junior National Select Team that defeated the World Select Team 109-91 at the Nike Hoop Summit in Memphis, Tenn ... Tallied eight points, three rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes.
Coach Romar on Spencer Hawes
"We are very fortunate to have who we feel is arguably the best big man in America at this level. He is not only talented, but he has a lot of toughness. We think he embodies everything that Husky basketball is all about. We expect him to make an immediate impact, We have not had someone who can step in and do the things that he does with his size. As a 7-footer, he is able to score on the low block and able to pass the basketball with a good feel. He will definitely be someone that will make an impact as a freshman."