June 3 – Coleman Hawkins withdrew from the 2024 NBA Draft last week, ahead of the NCAA-mandated deadline to do just that and still return to college basketball for the 2024-25 season. What Hawkins won’t do, of course, is return to Illinois. That chapter is closed for the now-former Illini forward.
But where will he land? On the latest episode of CBS Sports’ “Eye on College Basketball” podcast, Matt Norlander named Arkansas, Louisville and Kansas State as candidates to bring Hawkins in next season.
The Razorbacks are seen as leaders. Does that make any sense. Chin Coleman, who recruited Hawkins to Illinois, is on John Calipari’s staff at Arkansas. The Razorbacks also have what has been reported to be a large NIL war chest, with plenty of money to spend.
But the best thing about the Razorbacks might be their lineup. With Zvonimir Ivisic following Calipari from Kentucky and Jonas Aidoo making an SEC-to-SEC transfer after three seasons at Tennessee, Arkansas’ center rotation is set. Hawkins might play his natural position again later, let’s not say he played the 5 against his will last season for Illinois, but he’s not thrilled about it either.
A lineup of Hawkins and Aidoo in the frontcourt with Boogie Fland, Johnell Davis and Adou Thiero rounding out is a good option for Arkansas. The Razorbacks, in this scenario, would take DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and Ivisic off the bench. A top 25 group, at least in terms of talent. How this all plays out is the question of how Calipari hasn’t been able to make it work at Kentucky at a high enough level in recent years.
Louisville and Kansas State could be situations where Hawkins could step into a bigger situation than he necessarily would at Arkansas. The Cardinals are clearly rebuilding after two disastrous years under Kenny Payne, and new coach Pat Kelsey has already acquired two big names in Noah Waterman and Casein Pryor. The Wildcats have more traditional names in David N’Guessan and Baye Fall, with Achor Achor giving off some 4/5 potential.
But the combination of role and NIL at Arkansas could be tough to overcome. Is it woo pig sooie time?
