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Illinois star forward Coleman Hawkins is in the transfer portal and is likely to be on the move this offseason. Outside interest in his services is high, and based on his recent social media activity, his asking price could be, too!
Hawkins replied to a recent report on fellow transfer big man Great Osobor, who reportedly landed a $2M NIL deal with Washington this week.
That number is said to be the largest on record for a college basketball player, and was brokered by his agent, George Langberg of GSL Sports Group.
For reference’s sake, that’s on par with an average signing bonus for a late first-round NBA Draft pick!
Washington-bound Great Osobor will earn at least $2 million this season as part of his NIL deals, source told @TheFieldOf68 .
Could wind up being in $2.2 million range depending on other deals (adidas, trading cards, etc.).
For comparison, 30th pick in this year’s NBA Draft…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 13, 2024
The seven-figure asks are nothing new as we saw a number of college basketball stars test the market in the transfer portal this offseason.
Some denied being offered boatloads to change affiliations while others were said to have turned down potential suitors when demands weren’t being met.
As more and more learn their value while benefitting from the currently unrestrictive NIL policies in NCAA sports, the numbers continue to soar.
Coleman Hawkins could be next!
The Illinois senior averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 boards a year ago while also dishing out 2.7 assists on a nightly basis.
His versatility and experience are coveted by schools looking to make an NCAA Tournament push as he’d provide immediate help in the post.
Programs like UNC, Louisville, Arkansas, and Kansas State are sticking out, and most believe he’ll remove his name from NBA Draft consideration to play one final collegiate season.
With that being said, his NIL demands could be sky high.
“(For) Coleman Hawkins, it sounds like that is Arkansas, (North) Carolina, Louisville and Kansas State. There could be others. He will command a very, very high NIL price, and he really does want to go the NBA route. But, I’d say the buzz on Hawkins at this stage is, more likely than not, that he would return to college. Although no sure thing.”
-Matt Norlander, CBS college basketball insider
Hawkins certainly had an eye on Great Osobor’s reported $2M deal with Washington, and it’s seemingly likely that he’ll look for a similar package.
The forward got cryptic on social media in a now-deleted response to the news.
“Highest paid, huh? LOL,” he wrote on X before removing the reply shortly after.
What exactly did he mean by that? It’s still unclear! There are a few theories, and fans had questions.
Did Hawkins doubt that the $2M number was actually the highest in college basketball? Or was he using that amount as a bargaining chip in his own future negotiations?
Most assumed the latter, believing the price just went up for his suitors!
Will teams be willing to pay Coleman Hawkins north of $2M for one season? Time will tell. It appears he’s doing his part to drive the interest.