Illinois Basketball: Breaking down the 2020 recruiting class

Coleman Hawkins (Napa, CA)

PF | 6-foot-10 | 195 lbs | No. 156 overall

Although not the most highly-rated player in this recruiting class, Coleman Hawkins is a well-regarded three-star prospect that fits the modern game exceptionally well. He does need to add a bit of strength to his frame but he already stands at 6-foot-10 and appears to be the prototypical face-up big man at the collegiate level. Hawkins has a great feel for the game when on the court and that is evidenced by his strong passing both out of the post and from the perimeter.

Perhaps most importantly, though, he is a potent shooter for his size. Floor-spacing bigs are not easy to come by and Hawkins certainly fits that mold with his pure stroke out to 3-point range. He can be a dynamic forward in pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop situations, which makes him possibly the ideal fit alongside his fellow 2020 commits, both of whom are highly-touted guards with the ball in their hands.

Hawkins is certainly a polished offensive threat and that should allow him to be a dynamic contributor from Day 1 in Champaign. His 3-point stroke is what makes the headlines, but his playmaking could pop as well. He is a smart decision-maker and that is not something to overlook.

The big key for Hawkins will be continued development on the defensive end and that starts with adding more muscle to his frame. He is a bit of a tweener at the moment as he is not quite quick enough to defend on the perimeter nor is he strong enough to be a stopper underneath. Hawkins does seem to excel with defensive positioning, though, so it might only be a matter of time before he is making his mark on both ends.