Dominique Hawkins completes Reach USA trip

Kentucky Wildcats senior guard Dominique Hawkins just completed his second trip to the Far East in conjunction with Reach USA for a cultural exchange trip.

The trip was part of a cultural exchange program that helps guys like Dom learn more about the Far Eastern culture while, in turn,  sharing the United States' culture with his new friends.

"Not everyone is blessed with the little things that we have," Hawkins said. "Some examples of that are clean water, clothes, food and shelter which were the biggest lessons I learned away from the court on this trip.

It also involved games against opponents from China and Lithuania. In those contests, Hawkins averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He topped double-figure scoring twice, including a 15-point performance that was highlighted by four made 3-pointers. He also had an 11-point, seven-assist outing.

Other students who joined Hawkins on the trip hailed from Duquesne, Kentucky Wesleyan, Southern Mississippi, Southern University, Troy, Virginia Intermont and Western Kentucky. One of those players was fellow Madison Central alum Kenjah Bosley, who Hawkins was teammates with as they won the 2013 KHSAA State Championship for the Indians.

"My favorite part of the trip was being able to be around my high school teammate, Kenjah Bosley, again. He was a big part of why I went for a second time. On the court I learned that when I play with confidence, I'm a different player."