Illinois Basketball Forward Coleman Hawkins to Transfer to Kansas State

Coleman Hawkins announces transfer destination.

Former Illinois Basketball forward, Coleman Hawkins, has announced his intent to transfer to Kansas State. Hawkins was considered one of the top players available in the transfer portal after officially pulling out of the 2024 NBA draft at the May 29th deadline. After four strong years in Champaign, Coleman Hawkins will now spend his final year of college eligibility with coach Jerome Tang and the Wildcats. The Sacramento native’s name was also rumored for schools such as LSU, SMU, Louisville, and Arkansas. In his senior season, Hawkins averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game despite a nagging injury to his knee. Per Shams Charania, Hawkins will also receive one of the most lucrative NIL Deals in history at 2 million dollars.

NEWS: Illinois transfer forward Coleman Hawkins has committed to Kansas State, he tells @On3sports.

Was the top available player in the portal. Big-time pickup up for Jerome Tang and his staff. https://t.co/aSJYvXgmYS pic.twitter.com/6qf2vrlMSH

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 14, 2024

Sources: Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins – a 6-foot-10 F – has committed to play for Kansas State in what’s believed to be the most lucrative college basketball NIL deal ($2 million) negotiated from a collective by Nate Conley of Court XIV and Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 14, 2024

A Strong Fit For Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins has found a strong fit.  Certainly, Jerome Tang is a high-energy coach who made the Elite Eight in his first year on the job. The Big 12 is undoubtedly one of the best leagues in the country and Hawkins will thrive off of the competition. The Wildcats also landed shot-blocking big man, Ugonna Onyenso, in the transfer portal. The former Kentucky big man’s presence will allow Hawkins to slide over to his natural position at the four.  Perhaps this will allow Coleman Hawkins to show NBA teams what he can do as a true stretch-four. Hawkins also has quite a lot of defensive versatility. Despite this, he is much better suited to guarding positions one through four, as opposed to players like Zach Edey. Add

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