The deadline to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft is officially over. Players like Johnny Furphy and  Bronny James remained in the draft, while Mark Sears and Alex Karaban returned to Alabama and Connecticut, respectively. The deadline also impacted the transfer portal, as Jamir Watkins and Wooga Poplar — available players in the transfer portal, decided to stay in school for one more year. But of the portal players who defered their draft status, none is as coveted as Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins.

Hawkins was Third Team All-Big Ten in 2024 and helped lead the Illini to the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly two decades. The 6-10 forward already said he does not intend to return to Illinois or even the Big Ten. “I will never play in the Big Ten again,” Hawkins stated at the NBA Draft Combine. “I wouldn’t play in the Big East. I would go somewhere where there’s a football team, and I can enjoy a football game.”

Where will this highly coveted, versatile forward end up? With a hefty NIL valuation, these are the three best Coleman Hawkins transfer portal destinations after his surprising NBA Draft withdrawal.

Coleman Hawkins scouting report

A solid third scoring option for the Illini last year behind Terrence Shannon and Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins is a talented stretch-4 who is impactful on both ends of the floor. Hawkins was arguably Illinois' most improved player in 2023-24, raising his scoring from 9.9 PPG to 12.1 PPG while improving his offensive rating from 101.5 to 120.1. The Illinois forward cut his turnover rate by 40% while increasing his three-point percentage from 28% as a junior to 36.9% as a senior — including 40.5% in Big Ten play. The 6-10 big man is also a capable passer, averaging nearly three assists per game.

Hawkins is an above-average defender, using his long, athletic frame to defend multiple positions — his defensive box-plus minus of 3.6 ranked seventh in the Big Ten last season. The defense has always been there for Hawkins, but his improvement on the offensive end made him an All-Big Ten Third Team nominee in 2024 and entered him into the NBA Draft conversation. With his two-way skills, the Illinois forward is one of the best players still available in the portal.

Transfer portal destinations

North Carolina

While the Tar Heels return All-American RJ Davis, his supporting cast will look very different in 2024-25. Gone are star big man Armando Bacot, wing Harrison Ingram, and crafty shooting guard Cormac Ryan. The addition of Belmont wing Cade Tyson provides an offensive boost, but UNC must replace Bacot's physicality down low and Ingram's floor spacing. Hawkins delivers both, plus high-level defense and playmaking ability on offense.

BYU

The Cougars let fly from three-point land last season, but defensive struggles hurt a volatile squad. A momentous offseason that included a coaching change also saw BYU lose its three tallest players—Noah Waterman, Aly Khalifa, and Atiki Ally Atiki. All three were key contributors to this program a year ago. Despite adding Utah forward Keba Keita, BYU still has no player over 6-8 on its roster.

Bringing in Coleman Hawkins gives the Cougars much-needed size and the defensive versatility to thrive in the Big 12. Hawkins' floor spacing also fits in with BYU's three-point-heavy offense.

Texas

Much of the Longhorns' success in 2023-24 was down to the play of versatile forwards Dylan Disu and Dillion Mitchell. But the team needs more size with Disu out of eligibility and Mitchell at Cincinnati. Adding Indiana State Jayson Kent is a good start, as Kent is an efficient scorer and solid wing defender. But bringing in another high-level big man such as Coleman Hawkins gives the Longhorns more ball-handling ability from their forwards and provides a defensive upgrade.