ELON, N.C. – Elon University head men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny recently announced the addition of three newcomers to the Phoenix program in 2013-14. Brian Dawkins (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny High School), Luke Eddy (Charleston, W.Va./George Washington High School) and Christian Hairston (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School) will all don the maroon and gold next season.
A 6-8, 220-pound forward from Jacksonville, Fla., Dawkins was a four-year letterwinner at Bishop Kenny under head coach Jerry Buckley, averaging 15.2 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior. A two-time district player of the year, Dawkins helped Bishop Kenny to district and regional titles in 2013, while also helping his squad reach the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Tournament Final Four. Dawkins was also a two-time All-First Coast selection and participated in the 2013 Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) All-Star Game. The son of Wilbert and Karleen, Dawkins was the president of the Letterman’s Club and Interact Club, maintaining a 3.3 grade point average. Dawkins’ great uncle is former NBA veteran and two-time NBA All-Star Leonard “Truck” Robinson.
“Brian had a huge impact on the success of Bishop Kenny High School over the last four years,” Matheny said. “He was very productive for Jerry Buckley and we expect him to be productive in the paint for us.”
A 6-0, 170-pound guard from Charleston, W.Va., Eddy was a two-time first-team all-state honoree, averaging 26.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a senior at George Washington under head coach Rick Greene, who has also produced several Division I players, including former Elon point guard Chris Long. The 2013 Mountain State Athletic Conference (MSAC) Player of the Year, Eddy was a career 86-percent shooter from the free throw line and recorded two triple doubles at GWHS. Eddy earned county player of the year accolades twice and was twice named to the MSAC first team. Eddy helped George Washington to a state title in 2011 and a runner-up finish at the state tournament in 2012. Eddy’s 94 victories are the most by any varsity player in George Washington history. The son of Brian and Lisa, Eddy graduated from George Washington with high honors.
“Luke is a winner,” Matheny said. “His teams at GWHS won a lot of games. Rick Greene describes Luke as a tough competitor and relentless worker.”
A 6-7, 190-pound guard/forward from Greensboro, N.C., Hairston was a 2013 NCISAA All-State selection, averaging 10.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists at Greensboro Day last season under head coach Freddy Johnson, playing on a team with three Division I players. Hairston was named Greensboro Day’s Most Improved Player in 2013 and was an all-conference honoree. An honor roll student at Greensboro Day, Hairston is the son of Vince and Cheryl and is the nephew of the late Eric Hairston ’87, who ranks second all-time in Elon men’s basketball history in blocked shots.
“Christian comes from a very successful high school program and has been well taught by North Carolina’s all-time winningest coach, Freddy Johnson,” Matheny said. “Christian brings the versatility that allows him to play multiple positions in our system.”
All three players are eligible to compete for the Phoenix this upcoming season.