UConn basically checked off all the boxes for Jordan Hawkins, the latest recruit to commit to the men's basketball program.

He made a strong connection with the UConn coaching staff, including head coach Dan Hurley and assistant coach Kenya Hunter.

The fact the Huskies are back in the Big East was also a major plus for Hawkins.

He'll be relatively close to his Maryland home — a short flight or about a six-hour drive — so his family will be able to regularly attend games.

And it certainly worked in UConn's favor that Hawkins is a big Ray Allen fan.

Hawkins, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., announced on Friday that he's headed to UConn.

"They have a great coaching staff," Hawkins said. "I felt the most comfortable with those guys. Those guys will make me better as a basketball player and as a man. And they've got a great recruiting class coming in."

UConn is on a recruiting hot streak.

Hawkins is the second Class of 2021 recruit and second four-star guard to commit to UConn in the last couple weeks. Rahsool Diggins, who attends Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pa., picked the Huskies on July 26. They've played against each other many times.

"Great kid, great family," DeMatha coach Mike Jones said. "I'm excited for him. I think he's going to have a chance to have a tremendous career and a tremendous impact at UConn. I can't wait to see him in a UConn uniform.

"He's unique in that he's an incredible athlete and he can shoot the ball and he gives maximum effort on both ends of the floor. He's incredibly coachable. I think he's only scratching the surface of how good he can be."

Hawkins had a long list of schools interested in him, including Xavier, Wake Forest, Marquette, LSU, Maryland, Louisville and Seton Hall.

He says he first heard from UConn before the beginning of his junior season, his first at DeMatha. And their relationship grew from there.

"They're good guys," Hawkins said. "Can't wait to get in that UConn jersey."

So what can UConn fans expect from Hawkins?

"I can defend, score and play-make," Hawkins said. "I can do what they need me to do. I'm a two-way player. ... I can just get things done."

UConn has managed to thrive in the virtual recruiting world despite restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hawkins has never been on the Storrs campus, yet feels like he's found a home. He says he doesn't know any of the current Huskies except for senior Josh Carlton, who also played for DeMatha's powerhouse program.

He's looking forward to joining the upcoming and coming Huskies.

"The program is definitely on the rise," Hawkins said.

Jones praised the UConn coaching staff for its recruiting approach with Hawkins.

"They established a connection with him and his entire family right off the bat," Jones said. "Coach Hurley and his ability to get the best out of his players is very well known. Coach Hunter being from the area, I think he did a great job establishing a connection with Jordan.

"If Jordan trusts you, he'll run through the wall for you."

Hawkins announced his commitment with a video that included some highlights as well as a few of Allen's dunks during his Husky career.

He says he models his game after Allen.

"If you watch his commitment video, it's very clear one of the things that really helped UConn was Ray Allen," Jones said. "Jordan is a Ray Allen type. Ray Allen was a ridiculous athlete that also could shoot the cover off the ball. That's kind of who Jordan is. I think that's somebody that anybody with Jordan's skill set should look up to. So, I'm sure that didn't hurt."

g.keefe@theday.com