ELON, N.C. - Former Elon University men's basketball forward
Brian Dawkins has signed a professional contract in Poland with GTK Gliwice of the Polska Liga Koszykówki, the team announced on Monday, July 30.
"I'm very excited to start my professional journey with GTK Gliwice", said Dawkins. "To be a part of a team and organization in a competitive league right after completing my collegiate career is more than I could have asked for. I plan to bring a relentless work ethic and toughness to the team that has helped me be successful in my basketball journey thus far. Winning is my biggest goal joining this team and I want to help in whatever role I am asked of to achieve that goal."
The Jacksonville, Fla. native finished his career with the maroon and gold scoring 962 points and grabbing 441 rebounds. During his final season, Dawkins was also one of 10 student-athletes in the nation to be named to the 2018 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Give Back Team for his outstanding community service efforts throughout his career as a Phoenix.
Dawkins was an efficient shooter for the Phoenix shooting at a 50.4% (391-776) clip from the floor during his career. After being plagued with injuries during his first three seasons, Dawkins made one of the biggest improvements seen from a player in program history during his redshirt junior campaign. During the 2016-17 season, Dawkins averaged 12.9 points per contest, which was a 7.3 point per-game increase from his previous season in 2015-16. His 44.6 percent shooting from three-point range in 2016-17 at the time was ranked the sixth-highest for a single season in program history. He also finished second on the team in rebounding with 5.3 points per game during his fourth season. Dawkins ended his career strong posting 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds as a fifth-year senior. He also was awarded a 2017-18 Preseason All-CAA Second Team selection, as well as a CAA Player of the Week Award during his redshirt junior season.
"I owe the coaching staff at Elon University a lot of credit in helping me get to this point," Dawkins explained. "I wouldn't be at this point in my basketball career without their support. From the help of making this next step in my playing career, to their guidance throughout my college days to be the best I could be, I can't thank them enough for what they have done."
Dawkins will now get set to join the team as GTK Gliwice begins pre-season training. For more information on GTK Gliwice, check out the team's website at
www.gtk.gliwice.pl.
-- ELON --