Big names continue to populate the transfer portal in college basketball. The latest of which to venture into those waters is Illinois' Coleman Hawkins. Fresh off an Elite Eight run with the Fighting Illini, Hawkins declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. In doing so, he also entered the transfer portal should he return to college basketball. If he does, three programs stand out as possible destinations for him. They would be Colorado, North Carolina, and Creighton.

Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado pushed Marquette in the Round of 32 during the NCAA Tournament and almost wound up in the Sweet 16. The Buffaloes won two games in the Big Dance, including their first four tilt against the Nevada Wolfpack. However, in order for them to keep the winning going, they're going to have to reload in the transfer portal.

Veteran Tristan da Silva has also declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. It seems rather likely that he will be a top 20 pick. He'll join fellow Buffalo Cody Williams, brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, to get selected in the first round in late June. Those are two wings that Colorado will be losing. On top of that, Eddie Lampkin, Luke O'Brien, and J'Vonne Hadley have all entered the portal as well. That's a lot of production from last year's team that the Buffaloes will have to replace.

They have brought in a few players to try to do just that. Andrej Jakimovski started 35 games for Washington State last year but only shot 36.1% from the field. Colorado is also bringing a few notable recruits in Andrew Crawford, Sebastian Rancik, and Felix Kossaras, with the former 2 both being four-star prospects.

The Buffaloes have some reinforcements coming in, but neither are as talented or proven as da Silva or Williams. Coleman Hawkins is and has a ton of experience in the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs should find a way to bring him in.

North Carolina Tar Heels

If Hawkins wants a similar role compared to what he had at Illinois and play for a contender, North Carolina may be the spot for him. Harrison Ingram, Armando Bacot, and Cormac Ryan won't return for the Heels, but they are running it back with the majority of their Sweet 16 squad. RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, Jae'Lyn Withers, and Jalen Washington are all poised to come back for North Carolina.

The Heels are set to lose three starters, but they are bringing in plenty of reinforcements to make up for that. North Carolina has three incoming freshman from ESPN's Top 100, including two five stars in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. James Brown, their other incoming recruit, is a four star. Not only are they bringing those three, but the Heels also secured former Belmont Bruin Cade Tyson in the transfer portal. Tyson is the brother of Hunter Tyson, who starred at Clemson and is now with the Denver Nuggets.

The Heels may not need Coleman Hawkins but Hawkins again has experience and provides a ton of versatility. He can fill the void that Ingram left behind in North Carolina's starting lineup while the Heels bring their incoming freshmen slowly. He'd be a great fit if that was the direction North Carolina decided to go.

Creighton Blue Jays

A team that could use some frontcourt help is the Creighton Blue Jays. Ryan Kalkbrenner and Baylor Scheierman have declared for the NBA Draft, yet the Jays haven't done much to replace them. Jamiya Neal is coming in as a transfer from Arizona State, but he plays more on the wing. Outside of him, the only other frontcourt help Creighton has recouped this offseason has been four-star freshman forward Jackson McAndrew.

McAndrew is more of a four at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds. Hawkins plays a similar position, but at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he can also play at center too. Head coach Greg McDermott could play the two together or start Hawkins with his strength and experience working in his favor.

Creighton lost a lot from a group that has an Elite Eight and Sweet 16 to their name. Coleman Hawkins could come in and help the train rolling. His versatility would make for a tremendous addition for the Blue Jays.