Where Former Illinois Basketball Forward May Transfer

Where Former Illinois Basketball Forward May Transfer

Illinois Basketball forward, Coleman Hawkins, announced that he will officially withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft. This comes about a month after the former Illini announced that he will also enter the transfer portal. The news is tough to swallow for most Illinois fans, however, it is a decision that makes a lot of sense for Coleman. He spent four very strong years with the University and was one of the stars on a team that went to the Elite Eight. He has continued to show respect to Illinois basketball, however, he is going to make a lot of money at a new destination.

247sports, Isaac Trotter, was on the Illini Inquirer podcast to discuss the three schools that are buzzing for the Sacramento native.

From Illinois Basketball to…

Trotter stated that Arkansas, BYU, and Kansas State are the three schools that have the most buzz for Coleman Hawkins. Previously, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports discussed North Carolina and Louisville, in addition to the aforementioned schools that Trotter discussed. However, North Carolina just recently took a power forward, Ven-Allen Lubin, in the transfer portal. The move to Arkansas makes a lot of sense. They have a deep NIL pool with a new head coach, John Calipari. Former Illinois basketball assistant, Chin Coleman, is now an assistant there and was the primary recruiter for Hawkins to come to Illinois. Additionally, they have Zvonimir Ivisic and Jonas Aidoo on the roster, which would allow Hawkins to play the power-forward position he naturally desires.

Regardless, the split between Coleman Hawkins and the Illini will be painful for fans to digest. He was a star player and a beloved personality, however, the split is most certainly beneficial for both parties.

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