The Miami basketball program could be a potential destination for Illinois transfer forward Coleman Hawkins, per Isaac Trotter of 247Sports. Miami potentially adding Hawkins could depend on Jim Larranaga risking recruiting Hawkins over forward Brandon Johnson, whom Miami added from East Carolina this spring.
Miami added center Lynn Kidd from Virginia Tech, guard Jalen Blackmon from Stetson and forwards Yussif Basa-Ama from Yale, Kiree Huie from Idaho State and Johnson as transfers for the 2024–25 season. With the five transfer additions and four 2024 signees, plus three returnees, Miami has 12 players on the 2024-25 roster.
Miami returns guards Paul Djobet and Nijel Pack and forward Matthew Cleveland from the 2023-24 team. Miami signed guards Jalil Bethea, Austin Swartz and Divine Ugochukwu and forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu in the 2024 class. Bethea is a five-star prospect who is projected to be one and done with Miami.
Hawkins is a stretch four who is the 22nd-ranked transfer and fourth power forward in the portal. Hawkins improved his scoring in each season with Illinois. On an Elite Eight team in 2024, Hawkins averaged 12.1 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Interesting! Miami mentioned as a possible landing spot for Coleman Hawkins! Let’s Go!! https://t.co/5ETWUlwHK8
— Durham Canes Fan (@billhirni) June 5, 2024
Hawkins shot 45.1 percent from the floor, 36.9 percent on three-point attempts and 79.4 percent on free throws in 2024-25. With Miami, Hawkins would likely slot in next to Kidd with Johnson coming off the bench as the third big. Huie would back up as at center and power forward.
Baylor, Georgetown, Kansas State and Louisville were mentioned as the other potential destinations for Hawkins. Hawkins would provide Miami with an Elite Offensive player and shooter who could elevate the projections for the Hurricanes in 2024-25 with Bethea, Cleveland and Pack.
Trotter is high on the potential of Hawkins in the balanced Miami offense but is concerned the frontcourt could become cluttered. Bethea, Cleveland and Pack will be the primary offensive players for Miami in 2024-25. Hawkins would provide another option that could give Miami a foursome similar to the 2023 Final Four team.