T.J. Shannon, Coleman Hawkins withdraw from NBA Draft, will return to Illinois

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Illinois coach Brad Underwood will have two big pieces back in the fold next season in the Big Ten.

T.J. Shannon and Coleman Hawkins both withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return to campus. Both were projected second-round picks on several mocks.

Coleman Hawkins is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to Illinois for his senior season, he told ESPN. Big day for Illinois who also retained leading scorer TJ Shannon. pic.twitter.com/M6uLY2t9rW
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 1, 2023

The 6-foot-6 Shannon averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a senior.

The 6-10 Hawkins averaged 10.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Illinois finished 20-13 a year ago, 11-9 in the Big Ten, and lost in the first found of the NCAA Tournament.

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Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.