Illinois Basketball: Illini teammates to face off at 2023 NBA Draft Combine

The 2023 NBA Draft Combine starts today, and a couple of Illinois basketball players are represented.

The Illini made it back to the NCAA tournament this past season for the third straight year. This success came on the backs of players like Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr.

Hawkins and Shannon would declare for the NBA Draft after the season concluded, but I believe both kept their eligibility in case they wanted to return to the college game.

A part of the draft process is going through the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, which is May 16-18. This is a chance for players like Hawkins and Shannon to put their talents on display in hopes of climbing up NBA Draft boards.

Illinois basketball players Coleman Hawkins and Terrence Shannon Jr. will go up against each other at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine

Hawkins and Shannon are used to teaming up to try to defeat other teams, but at the combine, they are going to be going head-to-head.

The rosters for the combine were laid out on Monday night, and Hawkins and Shannon are on separate teams. Shannon’s roster features some familiar names like Oscar Teshiebwe and Isaiah Wong. Hawkins’ team isn’t short of stars either, as he will be playing with Jalen Pickett and Ricky Council IV.

I am excited to see what Hawkins and Shannon can do in the combine. I have said that I think Hawkins will impress NBA scouts with his size and ball handling. It is hard not to drool over a 6-foot-10 guy who can play point guard and can knock down three-pointers.

It is going to be interesting to see how Shannon does, though. He is a good player, but there are more players of Shannon’s ilk. It is going to be harder for him to stand out.

There is also another familiar name to many Illinois fans participating in the NBA Combine. On another team, you will find Brandin Podziemski ready to burst onto the scene. Many NBA mock drafts have him going in the late first round, so the combine will give him a chance to solidify the scout’s thoughts.

Keep an eye out over the next few days to see how the Illinois players, current and former, are doing at the NBA Draft Combine. This will help shape what the Illini will look like next season.