Report: Illinois Transfer Coleman Hawkins to Visit Louisville

The former Illini big man officially withdrew from the NBA Draft process last week.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It appears that the Louisville men’s basketball program is more than just gauging interest in Coleman Hawkins potentially joining the Cardinals.

The former Illinois forward/center is scheduled to visit Louisville this upcoming weekend, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.

Early last week, Louisville formally announced the addition of 13 newcomers, leading many to believe that – with no more open scholarships – the roster for year one under new head coach Pat Kelsey had been finalized.

Then last Thursday, CardChronicle’s Mike Rutherford reported on his daily radio show,The Mike Rutherford Show, that the Cards were “looking to at least make an attempt to be involved” with Hawkins.

Hawkins originally declared for the 2024 NBA Draft back on Apr. 23 after four years at Illinois. But on the final day of the spring transfer window one week later, Hawkins said that he would also be entering the portal to “protect myself in case of injury or any other unforeseen circumstances.”