Illinois
Illinois basketball big man projected to land with title contender in 2024 NBA Draft
![Illinois basketball big man projected to land with title contender in 2024 NBA Draft Illinois basketball big man projected to land with title contender in 2024 NBA Draft](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4804,h_2702,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/140/01hxwvf94fv7hwbwhy28.jpg)
Illinois basketball fans had an opportunity to watch one most well-rounded players when Coleman Hawkins was with the program.
The 6-foot-10 unicorn could do everything for the Illini. Hawkins didn’t settle either. Most players get to a certain point talent-wise, and they hit cruise control. Not Hawkins. He continued to improve.
Every season, Hawkins upped his scoring numbers. 1.4 points per game as a freshman, 5.9 points per game as a sophomore, 9.9 points per game as a junior, and he ended his Illinois career with 12.1 points per game.
On top of his great scoring ability, Hawkins’ efficiency in his final year was great as well. He shot 45.1% from the field, 36.9% from three-point range, and 79.2% from the free throw line. All were career highs.
Hawkins spent four great years with Illinois, which includes four NCAA tournament appearances, two trips to the round of 32 and an Elite 8 showing a couple of months ago.
This legendary career has the eyes of the NBA. Hawkins declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while keeping the option of heading back to college open by entering the transfer portal. He is currently going through the draft process and a recent projection as the Illini forward getting picked in June.
In the latest mock draft for the 2024 NBA Draft, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has Hawkins getting selected in the second round. With the No. 54 pick overall, the Boston Celtics are slated to pick the versatile big man.
This would be a great option for the Celtics. They are strong on the perimeter with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Derek White has emerged in the backcourt as well. I like Kristaps Porzingis, but he is injury-prone. Al Horford is also a great player, but he is getting up there in age. Hawkins could come into the franchise and learn from those two big men and eventually take over for them in the next couple of seasons.
I am rooting for Hawkins to do well during the NBA Draft process and to remain in the 2024 NBA Draft. There is also a chance Hawkins will come back to college.
33 signing out pic.twitter.com/GcCK4w6Zug
— Coleman Hawkins (@colehawk23) May 12, 2024
As mentioned earlier, Hawkins has entered the transfer portal. If he decides to run it back in the college ranks and pull his name out of the mix, it is going to be chaos for Illini Nation.
Hawkins will have a bidding war. Illinois has the scholarship room to have him back for one more season, but the money could be an issue, as we have pulled in five transfer portal players. It is highly unlikely those five players were cheap.
On top of that, Arkansas seems to have some traction with potentially landing Hawkins if he comes back to college. There is a lot of smoke for the Razorbacks. They now have John Calipari as the head coach and the pockets seem to be awfully deep.
At the end of the day, there is always a worst-case scenario possible for Illinois fans. Hawkins could end up coming back to college and not playing for the Illini. That would be a painful one to see. Hopefully, he impresses the right people and stays in the NBA Draft.
Next. Illinois basketball has a projected top 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Illinois basketball has a projected top 20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. dark
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Illinois
Vice President Harris calls family of woman shot to death in Illinois
![Vice President Harris calls family of woman shot to death in Illinois Vice President Harris calls family of woman shot to death in Illinois](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best/mpx/2704722219/2024_07/1722036681736_nn_mve_sonya_massey_family_speaks_out_240726_1920x1080-svfbz0.jpg)
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
-
Paris is a co-star in the Olympics
02:00
-
Now Playing
Vice President Harris calls family of woman shot to death in Illinois
02:14
-
UP NEXT
Team USA’s Katie Ledecky goes for more gold and glory in Paris
03:04
-
Spectacular Opening Ceremony kicks off Paris Olympics
02:40
-
Obama endorses Harris for president as Trump meets with Netanyahu
02:10
-
Massive fire rages in Northern California
01:42
-
Who are the Team USA athletes to watch in Paris?
01:50
-
Biden and Harris press for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal in meetings with Netanyahu
02:28
-
Northern California wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate
02:00
-
Southwest changes course on its signature open seating plan
01:29
-
Harris says she’s ready to debate as Trump ramps up attack
03:21
-
Difficult journey to Paris Olympics for Ukrainian athletes
02:09
-
Fiery plane crash kills 18 in Nepal
01:13
-
Netanyahu addresses joint meeting of Congress
01:53
-
Trump holds rally as FBI director reveals new details of assassination attempt
02:47
-
Harris’ time as a prosecutor will shape her candidacy for president
02:03
-
Four days after computer meltdown, Delta still plagued by cancellations
01:38
-
Netanyahu begins high-stakes Washington visit
01:35
-
Gen Z voters in Michigan weigh in on the presidential race
02:07
-
Narrow window for Harris to choose her running mate
01:02
-
Paris is a co-star in the Olympics
02:00
-
Now Playing
Vice President Harris calls family of woman shot to death in Illinois
02:14
-
UP NEXT
Team USA’s Katie Ledecky goes for more gold and glory in Paris
03:04
-
Spectacular Opening Ceremony kicks off Paris Olympics
02:40
-
Obama endorses Harris for president as Trump meets with Netanyahu
02:10
-
Massive fire rages in Northern California
01:42
Illinois
Sonya Massey, shot by Illinois sheriff’s deputy, died of gunshot wound to the head, autopsy finds
![Sonya Massey, shot by Illinois sheriff’s deputy, died of gunshot wound to the head, autopsy finds Sonya Massey, shot by Illinois sheriff’s deputy, died of gunshot wound to the head, autopsy finds](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/22/b71eb768-5b0d-4ca9-a933-4f20dd0d8d32/thumbnail/1200x630/709a3e0c69bff9527fe55e9a5ed3fcb9/sonya-massey.jpg?v=5501038cbc281520ff9fdc308faab7dc)
CHICAGO (CBS) — Authorities in central Illinois on Friday released an autopsy report that confirmed 36-year-old Sonya Massey died of a gunshot wound to the head, after she was shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Springfield earlier this month.
According to the autopsy report from the Sangamon County Coroner’s office, Massey was shot just beneath her left eye, and the bullet exited the back of her upper neck. The bullet caused a skull fracture, perforated her carotid artery, and caused bleeding in her brain.
Massey also suffered minor blunt force injuries to her right leg.
Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in Massey’s death. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and is being held in the Sangamon County Jail while he awaits trial. He was fired by the sheriff’s office after the shooting.
After learning of the autopsy results on Friday, Massey’s family said they are still struggling mentally and emotionally nearly three weeks after her death.
“I haven’t been able to sleep for real. The only time I really feel comfortable sleeping is when I’m just on the floor. I can’t even sleep in my bed,” said her son, Malachi Hill-Massey. “I really don’t have words. Like I’ve been said, I don’t have words for real.”
Massey’s uncle, Raymond, said her daughter has been “having nightmares to the point where we have to check the room.”
“It just makes me so angry to see my family hurt as they do,” Raymond said.
Bodycam video shows sheriff’s deputy shooting Massey inside her home
Authorities said Massey, a Black mother of two, called 911 in the early morning hours on Saturday, July 6, to report a suspected prowler outside her house near Springfield, Illinois.
The bodycam video shows Grayson and his partner, who are both White, arriving at Massey’s home, and searching outside the house and talking to Massey at the front door. They are later seen inside her home, and Deputy Grayson instructs Massey to check on a pot overheating on the stove, saying they don’t need a fire in the house.
Massey went to turn off the flame and picked up the pot. She asked where the deputies were going, to which Grayson replied, “Away from your hot, steaming water.”
Massey replied, “Away from my hot, steaming water?” and then twice said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
“You’d better f***ing not. I swear to God, I’ll f***ing shoot you right in your f***ing face,” Grayson said. He then raised his gun and yelled at Massey to “drop the f***ing pot!”
Massey is seen apologizing and ducking for cover. Grayson opens fire—three shots are heard.
Massey’s family and friends claim authorities tried to cover up the fatal shooting
The family said if it weren’t for the bodycam video of the shooting that was released on Monday, no one would know the truth.
Massey’s friends and family have said police first suggested it was a neighbor who had a previous dispute with Massey who shot her, and then later suggested the shooting was self-inflicted.
Massey’s oldest son, Malachi, said no one from law enforcement ever told the family who actually shot Massey. He said he didn’t learn until he saw it on the news the next day.
Illinois
Sonya Massey shooting: Illinois State Police release bodycam
![Sonya Massey shooting: Illinois State Police release bodycam Sonya Massey shooting: Illinois State Police release bodycam](https://images.foxtv.com/c107833-mcdn.mp.lura.live/expiretime=2082787200/045f9857006d2eb25ae7074b1749b6a600ea53a841f23c4cc76101bb6923a28e/iupl/8AE/0F0/1280/720/8AE0F0486EE28D980F7D6F3489777EF8.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
National outrage continues after Illinois State Police released new bodycam video of a sheriff’s deputy fatally shooting a Black woman in her home. Two officers were at Sonya Massey’s home to investigate reports of a prowler in the neighborhood. Please be warned that the video may be disturbing for some.
-
World1 week ago
One dead after car crashes into restaurant in Paris
-
Midwest1 week ago
Michigan rep posts video response to Stephen Colbert's joke about his RNC speech: 'Touché'
-
News1 week ago
Video: Young Republicans on Why Their Party Isn’t Reaching Gen Z (And What They Can Do About It)
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: A new generation drives into the storm in rousing ‘Twisters’
-
News1 week ago
In Milwaukee, Black Voters Struggle to Find a Home With Either Party
-
Politics1 week ago
Fox News Politics: The Call is Coming from Inside the House
-
News1 week ago
Video: J.D. Vance Accepts Vice-Presidential Nomination
-
World1 week ago
Trump to take RNC stage for first speech since assassination attempt