After not hearing his name called in the 2025 NBA Draft, former Illini Coleman Hawkins has agreed to play for the Golden State Warriors at NBA Summer League in July. The 6-foot-10 forward is not on a two-way contract, but he is expected to go to training camp with the Warriors in the fall, likely on an Exhibit 10 deal.
An Exhibit 10 deal typically allows a player to join an NBA team for training camp and receive a bonus if they play on their G League roster for 60 days. It can also be converted into a two-way contract. If Hawkins is signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, he will likely spend next season in the G League and work to be called-up to the NBA.
Hawkins’ former Illini teammate Justin Harmon played the entirety of last year in the G League, while Marcus Domask and Quincy Guerrier went to NBA training camps on Exhibit 10 deals before going to the G League. Hawkins should follow a similar path, and if he does not get called-up, he will also have the opportunity to sign a more lucrative contract overseas as Domask did later in his rookie year.
Hawkins played last season at Kansas State after spending four seasons in Champaign and graduating from Illinois in 2024. He was expected to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft, but his desire for a guaranteed deal, an injured knee and $2 million in NIL from Kansas State made his decision to return to college an understandable choice at the time.
Despite being a projected second round pick and receiving two-way interest in both 2023 and 2024, Hawkins was not projected to be selected in 2025 after his fifth year of college hoops. His year at Kansas State was not horrible, but it was a step down from his last year at Illinois, and many did not believe it was up to par with his reported NIL value.
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Hawkins averaged 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals for the Wildcats, showcasing his versatile game that Illini fans had seen for many years. However, Hawkins’ shooting percentages were down from his senior year at Illinois, and Kansas State did not perform well. They finished the season 16-17, and Hawkins missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in his college career.
Hawkins is the second former Illini to agree to a summer league deal this offseason. His former teammate Dain Dainja will join Illini first round draft pick Kasparas Jakučionis on the Miami Heat summer league roster.
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