Illinois basketball star Coleman Hawkins entered the transfer portal when the offseason hit but he also decided that he was going to test the NBA Draft waters. Hawkins made it clear that his top choice was going pro, but he recently decided that it is best for him to have another year in college. Now, some comments that he made during the combine about potential transfer destinations are resurfacing.
It was a bit surprising to see Coleman Hawkins decide to go back to college after his initial comments on his decision:
“I just feel like I've kind of outgrown college basketball,” Hawkins said, according to an article from 247 Sports. “I'm ready to just give my life to basketball, if that makes sense. Signing that contract, it becomes real life and it's not college. You could get away with not going hard in practice or kind of taking plays off. You could get mad at me for saying that, but not everybody's going 100% like that. I play hard in games and things like that, but it would be real-life situations. The moment I stay in this draft — and I think I'm ready for that, I'm ready for my game to grow, I'm ready for my body to change, and I'm ready to just open up to a whole new world of basketball that I've never experienced.”
After the combine, Hawkins clearly realized that it was best for him to come back to college, and he won't be playing in the Big Ten or Big East.
“I will never play in the Big Ten again, I wouldn't play in the Big East,” Coleman Hawkins said, according to a tweet from Bret Beherns. “I would go somewhere with a football team where I can enjoy a football game. But yeah, some schools have reached out, but some schools, I've just been honest with them and I haven't wasted their time. I flat out told 'em, that's just not somewhere I would even consider going.”
Illinois basketball fans would love to have Hawkins back for another year, but unfortunately for the Fighting Illini, that isn't going to happen. Hawkins loves Illinois, but he feels like he is ready to move on.
“I've done four years at Illinois,” Hawkins said. “I'm now an Illinois grad. I've put my heart and soul into Illinois for the last four years. So, I mean, it would be cool to go back one more year, but I just don't think it would be the right thing to do. Not just for myself, but for the staff and for the people coming in.”
Coleman Hawkins is looking for a lot of NIL money
One big factor in the decision process for Coleman Hawkins is NIL money. He is reportedly expecting a lot of it.
“Coleman Hawkins will return to college hoops, in news first reported by @ShamsCharania,” Aaron Torres said in a tweet. “Per a source, his agent has already let schools know he's looking for a pay day on par with Great Osobor (reported $2 million). In other words, if you're not ready to pay – don't call.”
Hawkins is looking for a lot, but he had another interesting quote in regard to NIL back at the combine that is now very relevant.
“I know someone just became the highest-paid player, and I wouldn't want to have that label,” Hawkins said. “I'd be making a good amount, but that's a lot of added pressure when you label yourself that. … I've had lots of offers. I've had offers to sign with agencies. I'm not a person who is moved by money, and if I'm being honest with you, to have that label (as highest paid player) is just an unwanted amount of pressure because as soon as you do something wrong, as soon as anything happens, as soon as you have a bad game, people are just going to question all that money. So even if I did come back to school, I'd let you guys guess whatever amount I got. I would never share that information because, I mean if I'm being honest, it's kind of selfish. Not only for yourself but for your teammates knowing what you made. I wouldn't have those conversations with my teammates. I wouldn't want anyone to know what I made.”
Hawkins might not be the highest-paid, but he is likely going to get a lot of NIL money next year.
Follow Us
Subscribe
