Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins has decided to stay in the NBA Draft after a strong performance at the NBA Draft Combine. Hawkins expressed that he has outgrown college basketball and feels it's time to move to the professional level. His senior year stats (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists per game) reflect significant improvement over his college career. Hawkins also clarified that if he stayed in college, he wouldn’t return to Illinois due to the team's roster changes.

By the Numbers
  • 7 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound in his first NBA Combine scrimmage.
  • 17 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds in his second NBA Combine scrimmage.
  • Averaged over 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in his senior year for Illinois.
Yes, But

Despite Hawkins' departure, Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood has effectively reloaded the team's frontcourt with new recruits Morez Johnson, Tomislav Ivisic, Ben Humrichous, and Casey Booth. This ensures the team remains strong even without Hawkins.

State of Play
  • Coleman Hawkins committed to staying in the draft and not returning to the NCAA.
  • Coach Underwood has secured a new roster for the Illinois frontcourt, ready for the next season.
What's Next

Hawkins will await the NBA Draft results, where he hopes to be picked and start his professional basketball career. Illinois will move forward with its new frontcourt and aim to sustain its competitive edge in the Big Ten.

Bottom Line

Coleman Hawkins' departure marks a significant change for Illinois, but his decision to enter the NBA reflects his readiness to advance his career. Meanwhile, Illinois remains poised to stay competitive with new talent ready to step up.