Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins explains decision to enter NCAA Transfer Portal, NBA Draft

On Tuesday, Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins entered the NCAA Transfer Portal while also declaring for the NBA Draft. Shortly after the news broke, Hawkins released a statement explaining his decision.

“My intention is 100% to stay in the draft and I am fully focused on that process,” Hawkins wrote. “I wanted to make sure I take every opportunity to protect myself in case of injury or any other unforeseen circumstances down the road. With the recent NCAA rule change regarding grad transfers, and the May 1 deadline approaching, entering the portal gives me the best chance to protect myself in those instances and maximize my opportunities as I go through the pre-draft process.

“I love the University of Illinois and am proud to be earning my degree here. I’m forever indebted to Coach Underwood and loved playing for him throughout my college career. This was truly one of the best years of my life, and no matter what the future holds, Illinois will always be home.”

The senior averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, boosting Illinois on a historic run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini lost to UConn in the postseason as their season came to an end.

Coleman Hawkins is a versatile big man who can score in a variety of ways. He signed with Illinois as a three-star recruit and the No. 151 overall player in the country in the class of 2020, per the On3 Industry rankings.

As a freshman in 2020-21, Coleman Hawkins played in 25 games, averaging 6 minutes per game. In 2021-22, Hawkins saw his role increase. He played in 33 games, including making 14 starts. That season, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

During the 2022-23 season, as a junior, Hawkins moved into a prominent position with Illinois. He averaged 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, ranking third in the team in scoring and leading the Fighting Illini in rebounding.

This past season he had his best year yet, averaging double figures in scoring for the first time. Now, Hawkins will look to capitalize on his success and take the next step in his journey.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

On3’s Matt Connolly also contributed to this article.