Words. Jonathan Marshall

Located 66 miles northwest of Detroit, the city of Flint, Mich., has quite the stake to claim when the top talent-producing areas are discussed. Consider the list of Flint ballers which boasts the likes of Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell, Morris Peterson, and JaVale McGee. Rising senior and future Big East star JaVontae Hawkins is primed to continue on the trail of hoops glory blazed by his Flint brothers.

“I take a lot of pride in being from Flint, Michigan,” says Hawkins. “I want to be a part of the tradition and history. We never give up. We’re tough as nails. We got a tradition of winning.”

Hawkins counts Cleaves as a mentor, and the former Michigan State star deems the new kid worthy to represent the tradition. MORE >

Words. Jonathan Marshall

In Dime #54, we wrote a feature on Trevor Cooney, a 6-3 junior from Sanford School in Hockessin, Del. At the time, Cooney was juggling interest from national powerhouses such as Duke, Syracuse, Villanova, Pittsburgh and Maryland, before selecting the Orange late last week. One of the best shooters in the Class of 2011, he’ll be a welcomed addition. Not up on Cooney just yet? Check out the original story below: MORE >