Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins celebrates his 3-point basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A report from NBA insider Shams Charania said Coleman Hawkins, a highly-coveted transfer, is heading to Manhattan.
Hawkins had been testing the NBA Draft but removed his name from consideration on May 29 and opted for the transfer portal for his final collegiate season.
After removing his name from the draft, Hawkins was contacted by Arkansas, LSU, Louisville, Kansas State, and many others. He took an official visit to Kansas State before making his decision.
Multiple outlets, including The Athletic and FOX Sports, are reporting Hawkins’ commitment to Kansas State comes with an expected $2 million Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal.
Hawkins, a Sacramento, California, native, has spent five years at Illinois with the Fighting Illini. Last season, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game.
He helped Illinois to a 29-9 overall record and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, a game the Illini lost to eventual national champion Connecticut.
Hawkins is the eighth transfer for Jerome Tang and the Wildcats this offseason and likely solidifies the roster ahead of the 2024-2025 season.