Hawkins was not projected to be drafted and now is one of the top transfers on the market
Jeremy Werner
Illinois forwardColeman Hawkinswill play for another college basketball program. The Athletic's Shams Charania and Field of 68's Jeff Goodman report Hawkins will withdraw from the NBA Draft and transfer to a new program, using the extra fifth year of eligibility from the 2020-21 pandemic season. An All-Big Ten selection last season, Hawkins currently is the No. 3 available transfer according to 247Sports, and will be in high demand as teams look to close out their rosters.
- Hawkins earned All-Big Ten second team from the Associated Press last season and Third Team All-Big Ten from media after averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks. He shot a career-best 36.9% from three last season.
- Hawkins is the only player in Illini history to record 900+ points, 500+ rebounds, 200+ assists, 100+ blocks and 100+ steals. Hawkins started 82 of 126 games at Illinois, including 68 games during the last two seasons
Why it matters: Hawkins was the only prep prospect recruited by Underwood to play all four years at Illinois, but a rare combination of the advent of NIL and an extra season of eligibility mean he will play for another college team for a significant amount of money. Still, Hawkins should be remembered fondly at Illinois, where he was part of one of the winningest stretches in Illini history, which included four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, three Big Ten championships (two conference tournament titles and one regular-season title) and an Elite Eight appearances.
- Read more: 'The poster child for the four-year guy,' Hawkins leaves imprint on Illini program
What it means:This always was the rational decision forHawkins. He sounded ready to make the leap to the NBA, but he wasn't projected to be drafted by most outlets. As of Wednesday, ESPN ranked Hawkins as the No. 79 prospect in the NBA Draft, CBS Sports ranked Hawkins as the No. 73 prospect in the draft and The Athletic ranked Hawkins as the No. 87 prospect in the draft class. Despite a strong NBA Draft Combine appearance, Hawkins was not guaranteed toearn a guaranteed NBA contract. Heis sure tomake more money next year playing college basketball, potentially seven figures. Hawkins has said he won't transfer to another Big Ten team, but he should have plenty of suitors, including from some of themost prestigious programs in the country looking to make a late splash. He probably will look to find a place he can play the four rather than the five, like he did at Illinois last season.
While Illinois has two remaining scholarships available, the Illini loaded up with frontcourt pieces during the offseason, including Evansville transfer forward Ben Humrichous, Notre Dame transfer Carey Booth, Croatian big man Tomislav Ivisic and top-30 prep prospect Morez Johnson. Both sides are amicably parting ways after a strong marriage the last four seasons. Such is college basketball in 2024.
- Hawkins saidof Illinois thismonth at the Combine:"They got a whole new roster coming in. I don't think it would be fair for me to come back in that place with all those guys expecting me not to be there. I mean, I've done four years at Illinois. I'm now an Illinois grad. I've put my heart and soul into Illinois for the last four years. So, I mean, it would be cool to go back one more year, but I just don't think it would be the right thing to do. Not just for myself, but for the staff and for the people coming in."
What's next: Illinois now has one realistic candidate to be drafted:Terrence Shannon Jr. The draft will be held on June 26-27 at Barclays Center: the first round on June 26 and the second round on June 27. Shannon's trial for a charge of rape begins on June 10 in Kansas. ESPN currently ranks Shannon as the No. 31 prospect in the draft.
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