Illinois men’s basketball second-team All-Big Ten forward Coleman Hawkins will enter the transfer portal ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, according to a report from Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.
Hawkins previously announced his plans to enter the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, and is currently going through the pre-draft process ahead of the June draft. Hawkins is still pondering a potential return to the Illini, but there is a chance that he returns to college basketball and plays elsewhere next season.
Hawkins confirmed his entry into the portal with a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, mentioning directly that he has every intention of remaining in the draft.
The 6’10” Hawkins was instrumental in Illinois’ run to the Elite Eight last month, and would be a significant loss to the Illini in the frontcourt if he returned to college basketball and played anywhere other than in Champaign. He averaged a career-high 12.1 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds on 44.2% shooting this past season.
Hawkins is the only player in program history to compile at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals in a career.
He will have one year of eligibility remaining if he returns to college basketball.
