All Tar Heels

Top UNC Basketball Transfer Target: Carolina Blue 'Makes My Eyes Pop'

It appears one premier talent in the portal likes the way he looks in UNC basketball threads.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball transfer target Coleman Hawkins
UNC basketball transfer target Coleman Hawkins / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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Coleman Hawkins remains an early NBA Draft entrant following his steady development across four years at Illinois, where the 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward landed All-Big Ten Third Team honors as a senior this past season. But should he decide to withdraw his name by the May 29 deadline and employ his extra year of college eligibility, it's becoming more and more evident that UNC basketball would be in the mix for his services.

RELATED: UNC Linked to Big Transfer With Potentially High Price Tag

It's no secret the Tar Heels have significant roles up for grabs in the post in light of Harrison Ingram's status as an early draft entrant and Armando Bacot's exhausted eligibility. And there's no doubt Hawkins, fresh off averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks for a Fighting Illini bunch that finished 29-9 overall and reached the Elite Eight, has the all-around skillset that UNC desires down low.

Meanwhile, Hawkins sure seems keen on the idea of potentially suiting up for the Tar Heels.

On Friday, the former three-star prep, now a four-star transfer sitting No. 24 overall on the 247Sports portal rankings, engaged in debate on social media about whether Carolina blue is "a good look" on him or not after encountering a post containing photoshopped graphics of him in a Tar Heel jersey:

An Illinois fan opined in the comments that it isn't a good look, to which the 22-year-old Hawkins hilariously disagreed: "Really Kevin? I thought it made my eyes pop a little bit more."

No 247Sports insiders have entered a prediction for the Coleman Hawkins sweepstakes. Again, some expect to him to remain in the NBA Draft as a projected second-rounder.

However, CBS Sports' Matt Norlander noted earlier this week that he believes Hawkins is more likely to return to college, naming UNC, Arkansas, Louisville, and Kansas State as the suitors to watch.

As things stand, former sharpshooting Belmont wing Cade Tyson, a rising junior, is the Tar Heels' only addition through the transfer portal this offseason. UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his gang have three open scholarships, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will look to fill all of them.

ALSO READ: Possible Surge in UNC Pursuit of Quality Transfer Ven-Allen Lubin

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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