Illinois Basketball: Most underrated Illini recruits in the rankings era

1. Coleman Hawkins

• 3-Star Recruit
• #167 in the class of 2020
• 3 NCAA tournaments – 2nd round (x2), 1st round
• Best season – 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 steals

And now we get to the top spot. It might be controversial, and he still has a year left at Illinois, but I think the most underrated recruit in the rankings era is Coleman Hawkins.

Coming out of Prolific Prep in California, Hawkins was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 167 player in the class of 2020. He was also the No. 38 power forward in the country and the No. 16 player coming out of California.

Illinois heading out west to snag Hawkins has proved to be great for the program. He has consistently put up solid numbers in three seasons, with his best year coming in 2022-23 when he averaged 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game.

Hawkins has also done something that hasn’t been done since Dee Brown and James Augustine. He has played at least three seasons for Illinois and has made the NCAA tournament every year. That is an impressive run.

This run of NCAA tournament appearances has consisted of two second-round exits and a first-round out last season. Hawkins still has one more year in Champaign, and it could end up being his best.

I also believe Hawkins has a decent chance to get selected in the 2024 NBA Draft. He almost kept his name in this past year but decided to return for one more season. Someone who is ranked sub-150 in their recruiting class isn’t projected to have this good of a college career. Hawkins is breaking that mold. This kid has been special for the Orange and Blue.