UCF is bringing a fresh NBA edge onto its men’s basketball staff.
The Knights have hired Corey Hawkins as Assistant Coach and Senior Director of Player Development, adding a coach whose résumé runs through the G-League, the NBA, and the international game. Hawkins, 35, spent last season as Assistant Coach and Head of Player Development for the Osceola Magic.
“I am super excited to get to work at UCF,” Hawkins said. “Coach (Johnny) Dawkins and his staff are extremely passionate about the game of basketball, and they do a great job developing players who not only compete at a high level but also become great human beings.”
That background is exactly what makes Hawkins such a notable addition for UCF. He arrives in Orlando with years of experience working on both sides of player development - from daily coaching to game prep to helping prospects sharpen the details that matter at the next level. For a program still building its roster and chasing players with professional ambitions, that matters.
Hawkins’ path to UCF started at UC Davis, where he built his name as a player. He led the Big West in scoring twice and was named the conference’s Player of the Year in 2015.
After that, he played professionally in the NBA G-League, Italy and Belgium before moving into coaching in 2019 with the G-League’s Salt Lake City Stars. That same year, he also worked with USA Basketball.
He later spent from 2022 through 2024 with the Orlando Magic as Assistant Video Coordinator and Player Development Coach, a stretch that gave him more direct work with NBA players and plenty of experience on the preparation side. He also served as an Assistant Coach on the Magic’s Summer League teams in 2023 and 2024.
That recent NBA experience is part of what makes the hire so appealing for UCF, especially on the recruiting trail. ESPN analyst Ben Hazel, who is also a frequent contributor to Knights247, said Hawkins brings a level of credibility that can resonate with both players and prospects.
“It’s an added bonus on a college coaching staff to have a guy with that much experience working with current NBA players. It will do a lot on the recruiting trail, and for the players it will be cool to be coached by a guy who regularly worked out guys like Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.”
Hawkins sees his new job through that same lens. He believes his recent time in the NBA can help players understand what pro teams are looking for and what it takes to reach that level.
“Having recently worked in the NBA and knowing what it takes to get there, I know what pro teams look for and can help each player have their best chance to make it to the highest level possible.”
The move also keeps Hawkins in Orlando, which he said was a major plus after his time with the Magic organization.
“I love Orlando, man. There's so much to do! It's a great place to raise a family, obviously I love the weather … and I have had the opportunity to meet some really great people here.”
Basketball has been part of Hawkins’ life from the start. He is the son of former NBA star Hersey Hawkins, and that connection has given him a lifelong tie to the professional game.
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