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The deadline to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and return to college basketball passed on Wednesday evening, with many high profile stars opting to come back to school for the 2024-25 season.
Many of said players are also in the NCAA transfer portal, meaning they are still looking for a new home. Illinois power forward Coleman Hawkins is arguably the biggest name of the bunch, as he looks to play his final season of eligibility somewhere else after spending the past four seasons with the Illini.
Hawkins averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds last year, shooting 36.9% from three as a 6’10 big.
The fifth year senior will look to top the reported $2M NIL deal inked by Washington‘s Great Osobor, and Hawkins himself has indicated he does not plan to return to the Big Ten or play in the Big East:
With Coleman Hawkins withdrawing from the NBA Draft, the now former #Illini is in the portal. His thoughts earlier this month about a new school:
“I will never play in the Big Ten again, I wouldn’t play in the Big East. I would go somewhere where I can enjoy a football game” pic.twitter.com/q1AgGD6GFU
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) May 30, 2024
So, Hawkins projects to land somewhere in the SEC, Big 12, or ACC, and will be at a program that is willing to spend big money for his services.
Below is a look at five teams that could fit the bill for the big man in 2024-25:
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
John Calipari has built a strong roster in his first season at Arkansas, bringing three former Kentucky players (Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, and DJ Wagner) as well as three former Kentucky commits over to Fayetteville.
The Hogs also added Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee and Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic, and securing a power forward like Hawkins would be an outstanding – and spendy – feather in the cap for coach Cal. Hawkins wants to get paid and wants to play in a conference with football, and Arkansas needs a power forward and has money to burn. Feels like a win-win here.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Tar Heels recently added Ven-Allen Lubin from Vanderbilt to shore up depth in the frontcourt, but after losing both Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram this offseason it makes sense for North Carolina to keep looking for more help.
Hawkins would fit nicely alongside Lubin and rising junior Jalen Washington up front, and should see plenty of action in Hubert Davis’ system. If the Heels are willing to pony up, this is a nice fit for them as they try to keep up with Duke’s electric recruiting class.
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Texas is headed to the SEC – which feels like the conference Hawkins wants to be in – and they have a need for a power forward after losing Dillon Mitchell to Cincinnati in the transfer portal. With Mitchell and Dylan Disu both gone, Rodney Terry could use a scoring forward to pair with Kadin Shedrick up front, and Hawkins offers that.
The Longhorns want to make a splash in their first season in the SEC, and this is a move that helps ensure they do so.
Syndication: The Topeka Capital-Journal
Jerome Tang and Kansas State lost quite a bit of talent from last year’s team, including forward Arthur Kaluma who – like Hawkins – withdrew from the NBA draft and remains in the transfer portal.
It’s unclear if the Wildcats have the cash to woo Hawkins to the Big 12, but if they can make it happen Tang will have a roster capable of competing once again in the deepest basketball conference in the country.
Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Hurley is doing work this offseason. The Sun Devils looked like a bottom feeder heading into the Big 12, but Hurley has money to burn for NIL and has added a handful of high level transfers and incoming freshmen, including five-star big man Jayden Quaintance.
Hawkins is a Sacramento native who played high school ball in California, and an opportunity to start for the Sun Devils and help them transition to the Big 12 could appeal to the fifth year senior – especially if the paycheck approaches the magic $2M mark.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/coleman-hawkins-transfer-portal-nba-draft-college-basketball/