Report: Coleman Hawkins Joins Kansas State Basketball Team, Inks Record-Breaking $2M NIL Deal
Former Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins has reportedly transferred to Kansas State with a significant name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Nate Conley of Court XIV and Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball secured a $2 million NIL deal for Hawkins at Kansas State, making it the largest NIL deal ever negotiated by a collective in college basketball.
Hawkins, a graduate transfer, was rated as a 4-star player and the No. 22 overall player in the transfer portal this offseason by 247Sports.
As one of the key players on the Fighting Illini roster last season, Hawkins led the team in rebounds per game (6.1), steals per game (1.5), and blocks per game (1.1). He was also second in assists per game (2.7) and third in points per game (12.1).
The 6’10” forward from Sacramento, California, contributed to Illinois achieving a 29-9 record and reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament, marking the program’s deepest run since their 2005 national championship appearance.
Hawkins is set to join a Wildcats team that had a disappointing 19-15 season and failed to make the NCAA tournament last year.
Nonetheless, Kansas State reached the Elite Eight in 2023 under head coach Jerome Tang’s first season.
This offseason, few schools have impacted the transfer market as significantly as Kansas State, securing a total of eight transfers.
According to 247Sports, Kansas State boasts the 12th-best transfer class in college basketball, with six of its transfers rated as 4-star recruits.
Given Hawkins’ performance as an all-around contributor for a top Illinois team last season, he is expected to immediately become one of Kansas State’s best players in the 2024-25 season.
Hawkins initially declared for the 2024 NBA draft but opted to withdraw and enter the transfer portal instead.
With another productive season in a new setting, Hawkins could enhance his prospects as a likely pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
