CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Former Illinois men’s basketball player Coleman Hawkins is back in Champaign-Urbana– No, not to rejoin Underwood’s team.

Hawkins is out of college eligibility but that didn’t stop him from playing some pickup basketball at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) on campus at U of I.

However, the games came with a twist. Hawkins posted on social media a few hours before heading to the ARC, encouraging students to meet him there and offering a $1,000 prize for any team capable of taking down his squad.

The former Illini joined forced with two current Illinois players, Jason Jakstys and AJ Redd, to take on challengers at his old school.

“It feels good to be back,” Hawkins said. “I needed some people to show up to be honest. I didn’t know if I still had the juice or not. We got some people up here. It’s fun being here. I love the fans, everyone is great out here. Super nice so it’s good to be out here and hopefully no one does win because I might get beat up if I don’t get them some money so.”

Hawkins didn’t get beat up, or have to pay up, as his team went 4-0 in games to 15 points.

Champaign Central standout Chris Bush was on the court. Plus, Illinois guard Kylan Boswell stopped by as a spectator.

Hawkins played four years at Illinois before transferring to Kansas State. He averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior in the 2023-24 season while helping the Illini reach the Elite 8.

What’s next for Coleman Hawkins?

“I’m just going to enjoy my time off for now and then start training for the draft,” he said. “I’ll be out in either Miami or Cleveland with my agency just working out, trying to get as good as possible.”

Hawkins was an All-Big 12 third team selection with the Wildcats in his final season of college basketball, averaging 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds.