Champaign, Ill. (WICS/WICD) — Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins announced on his social media that he will enter the transfer portal, ahead of tomorrow’s May 1st deadline.
Coleman announced last week that he would enter his name into the NBA Draft. Hawkins stated, “I am 100% set on the 2024 NBA Draft.”
Hawkins spent four years in Illinois, winning two Big Ten Tournament Championships. In Coleman’s senior season, he averaged 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field.
As of Tuesday, Amani Hansberry, Luke Goode, Sencire Harris, Coleman Hawkins, Niccolo Moretti, and Dain Dainja have hit the transfer portal.
Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins announced on Tuesday that he has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, bypassing a potential fifth year of eligibility due to the pandemic by saying he is “100% set” on pursuing his NBA career. Players must enter the NBA Draft by April 27 and must withdraw from the draft by June 16. The NCAA also has a May 1 deadline to enter the transfer portal.
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
ESPN currently ranks Hawkins as the No 86 prospect in the NBA Draft, while The Athletic ranks Hawkins as the No. 87 prospect in the draft class.
Hawkins wrote on social media: “I want to start off by saying thank you to the University of Illinois, our coaching staff and my teammates for giving me an opportunity that I will be forever grateful for. I also want to thank the fans who have believed in me and supported me from Day One. Everyone who has been a part of my college journey has helped build it into a special one. At this time, I feel comfortable enough to move on and start a new journey. I am 100% set on the 2024 NBA Draft. Fighting for this program for the last 3 years has been an honor, but all good things must come to an end. I-L-L.”
What it means: This isn’t a surprise as Hawkins said after the Illini’s Elite Eight loss to UConn that he had likely played his last game at Illinois, but Hawkins officially closed his Illinois chapter and seemed to close the door on the transfer portal as an option. Hawkins ends his college career as the only Brad Underwood prep recruit to play all four years at Illinois, and he ended it on a high note as an All-Big Ten player and team captain on the best Illini team since 2005. He endeared himself to fans for his play and outgoing personality and will forever be remembered fondly for his lynchpin role during one of the most successful eras of Illini basketball.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood told Illini Inquirer on Tuesday: “Coleman had a fantastic year, fantastic year. I think from a mental side of things, I think Coleman has achieved a great deal and I don’t know how much more he can gain in the college game. Coleman is so smart, so high IQ, great feel, great understanding. I think that he’s in a great place there. I think he shot the ball. I think he made major enhancements and as he goes through his process, I think he’ll be more aware of what that process is and he’ll succeed. And for a guy who played a little bit less than a hundred percent this year because of that knee just had a fabulous year. And if he chooses to go, man, I’ll be 100% on board with that. He had such a great year.”
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