[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Coleman Hawkins
Frame: 6’10”, 224 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Illinois Fighting Illini
Year: Senior
2024 Draft Age: 22
Stats via www.sports-reference.com

Offense

Hawkins has significantly expanded his offensive arsenal, evolving into a versatile threat well-suited for the modern NBA. His transformation into a reliable three-point shooter is underscored by hitting 37 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc on a career-high eight attempts per 100 possessions, demonstrating proficiency in catch-and-shoot situations. Hawkins’ ability to shoot effectively, even from NBA range, along with his adaptability in transition play, marks him as a genuine floor spacer.

In addition to his shooting, Hawkins’ playmaking has taken a notable leap forward. Exhibiting a keen sense of court awareness, he excels in short-roll situations and can make decisive passes. He has also been much better at handling the ball and getting downhill, constantly keeping his head up and looking to hit a cutter or open player. He will even throw in some no-look passes and throw off defenders with his eyes.

Despite these strides, Hawkins’ finishing at the rim represents an area for improvement. Enhancing his strength should improve his half-court play, allowing him to navigate physical play and maintain efficiency under pressure. He does have a short-range floater and push shot but is prone to being bumped off his spot. There is room for optimism, as his rim finishing has looked better in previous seasons.

He also needs to improve his screening. Most of his success comes from slipping and ghosting instead of setting real, physical screens. Improving his ability to create an advantage for his ball handler with harder screens will make him an even better secondary piece.

Defense

Hawkins distinguishes himself as a substantial defender, combining agility and intelligence to significantly impact the game. His ability to guard on the perimeter is noteworthy for a player of his stature; Hawkins excels in maintaining his defensive stance and using his lateral quickness to stay in front of smaller, quicker opponents. This agility also allows him to be an effective rim protector, where his timing and leaping ability enable him to block shots from the weak side.

His adaptability in defensive schemes, especially in drop coverage scenarios, showcases his ability to disrupt pick-and-pop plays and close down lanes to the basket. His instinctual play leads to a high rate of steals and deflections, highlighting his proactive approach to defense. Hawkins’s off-ball defense is equally impactful, leveraging his understanding of offensive flows and anticipation to disrupt plays and secure turnovers. 

His defensive skill set, characterized by both on-ball tenacity and off-ball acuity, not only complements his offensive contributions but also makes him a versatile defender capable of adjusting to various defensive roles and schemes. This dual-threat capability positions Hawkins as a valuable two-way player in the NBA, where defensive versatility and the ability to switch across multiple positions are increasingly prized. 

On the other hand, Hawkins may be limited in the league as a jumbo four instead of a true big. This shows up in his rebounding, with a 15.6 defensive rebound percentage and 5.2 offensive—more typical of a wing or forward than a true center. He shares the floor with good rebounders, so his numbers may diminish. Still, he may find the same situation in the NBA as a four alongside another big player who can provide rebounding and shot-blocking interior presence.

Looking Ahead:

Hawkins’ journey from an inconsistent prospect to a reliable contributor mirrors the transformation many teams seek in a draft pick. His significant improvements in shooting, playmaking, and defensive versatility paint the picture of a player ready to transition to the NBA. While concerns about his rebounding and ability to finish through contact remain, his recent performances suggest a player on the rise, capable of filling a valuable role as a forward in the NBA.

Projected as a potential second-round pick, Hawkins can improve his standing with continued development and the pre-draft process. With his size, improved shooting, and defensive adaptability, Hawkins resembles players like Dario Saric and Santi Aldama. Players with size, ball skills, shooting and defensive flexibility tend to have long careers and be able to play meaningful roles on teams.