Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins enters the transfer portal — could he follow Chester Frazier to West Virginia?

Coleman Hawkins -- a 6'10 forward and three-year starter for Illinois basketball -- wants to play in the NBA next season. But if that plan fails, he will likely not be suiting up for the Illini again. And it just so happens that a pair of his former teammates and one of his former coaches have already found a new home together at West Virginia.

The news was first broken by Matt Norlander of CBS Sports on Tuesday afternoon, and then confirmed via Hawkins on his own social media, that he has officially entered his name in to the transfer portal following his declaration for the NBA Draft last week.

Hawkins stated "my intention is 100% to stay in the draft and I am fully focused on that process." However, if his draft stock isn't strong enough to warrant a team risking a pick on him, he'll need a back-up option. And while Norlander said that Hawkins is still considering a return to Illinois, it seems as if the official statement from Hawkins indicates that he will not be back with the program again.

Hawkins averaged 12.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, was named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Watch List, and was named selected by multiple organizations as a Big 10 All-Conference honoree. He saw action in 126 games and started 82 of those during his four-year stint with Illinois, and has one season of eligibility remaining.

Hawkins former teammates Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry have already committed to play for WVU next season -- they follow former Illinois assistant Chester Frazier, who was hired to head coach Darian DeVries staff earlier in April. With familiar faces, including a coach known to be popular with the locker room, now calling Morgantown home, it is reasonable to believe Hawkins could find himself tempted to join if he determines his NBA chances would be bolstered by an additional year at the collegiate level.

Hawkins declared for the NBA Draft last offseason as well, before withdrawing and returning to Illinois. He is currently projected as a late second-round pick at best by most analysts. Hawkins will have until June 16th to determine whether or not he'll remain in the NBA Draft.