Men’s Basketball Duo Earns All-MIAA Honors

• Athletics

Dante Hawkins and Jason Beckman have been a dynamic backcourt for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-champion Hope College men’s basketball team this season.

Both have earned All-MIAA First Team recognition from the league’s coaches, the MIAA announced on Thursday. They are among six first-team All-MIAA honorees after helping the Flying Dutchmen earn a piece of their 40th league championship in a tie with Olivet College.

Hawkins averaged 18.1 points per MIAA game and finished sixth in the league in scoring. The senior from Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) shot against MIAA competition 44.1 percent from the field, including 40.9 percent from 3-point range, and 72.5 percent from the foul line.

Hawkins tied for third in the MIAA at 4.4 assists per league game and was third at 1.8 steals per MIAA game.

Head coach Greg Mitchell said Hawkins’ development over his career and into a two-time, All-MIAA First Team selection has been phenomenal.

“He took his game to another level at both ends of the floor this year and has been a great senior captain for us,” Mitchell said. “Dante's toughness and versatile shot-making and explosiveness in the open floor is truly special. He is a one-of-a-kind player who added to his scoring prowess by becoming a solid on-ball defender this year which we desperately needed with the inexperience we had.

“He is a deserving two-time member of the All-MIAA First Team as he helped lead us to three consecutive championships over his career, which puts him in elite company as a Hope basketball player.” 

Beckman averaged 20.8 points per MIAA game in his first season with the Flying Dutchmen. The junior from Shelby, Michigan (Shelby) led the MIAA in free-throw shooting at 93.0 percent during league play and placed fifth in 3-point shooting at 43.0 percent.

Mitchell said Beckman has been a consistent and dynamic offensive weapon for Hope all season and is deserving of his first-team recognition.

“What makes Jason so special is his relentless work ethic every time down the floor,” Mitchell said. “His ability to create advantages for himself without the basketball and find mid-range scoring opportunities is outstanding. He’s a bit of a throwback player, and I say that with the utmost respect as most players today need the ball in their hands to be effective. He is highly skilled at both and a great reason why we are co-MIAA champs this year.”