Illinois Basketball Star to Enter Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Armchair Illini | By Alex Kyi | Last updated 4/30/24

Illinois Basketball Star to Enter Transfer Portal

Per Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Illinois Basketball star forward, Coleman Hawkins, will enter the transfer portal. Hawkins is still going through the NBA draft process and announced his intent to stay in the 2024 draft just last week. Per Norlander’s tweet, Hawkins is still also considering a return to Illinois. This decision means that Coleman Hawkins is keeping his options open. Per NBAdraft.net, he will be picked between picks 52-58. Though he wants to stay in the NBA draft, there is no certainty that he will be a draft pick.

Hawkins has made it very clear that he will not return to Illinois next season. If his NBA draft feedback suggests that he return to college, he may be in another uniform.

Breaking—Illinois senior big man Coleman Hawkins will officially put his name in the transfer portal by tomorrow's deadline, sources tell @CBSSports. Hawkins (12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 37% 3PT) is also going through the pre-draft process and is still considering returning to the Illini.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 30, 2024

Transfer portal takes a lot

Coleman is the sixth Illinois basketball player to enter the transfer portal. Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry left for West Virginia. Dain Dainja committed to the University of Memphis. Luke Goode transferred to Big Ten foe, Indiana. Most recently, Niccolo Moretti announced his intent to enter the transfer portal. Illinois Basketball will have an entirely new team after making an elite Eight run. This is yet another challenge for Brad Underwood following success.

When Illinois Basketball earned a one seed, Brad Underwood had to replace his entire assistant coaching pool after they left for other jobs. This challenge is quite different, however, he seems equipped to make do with whatever challenge is thrown at him.