Coleman Hawkins, arguably the best player still available in the college basketball transfer portal, announced on Friday he will suit up for the Kansas State Wildcats for his final season of eligibility.
A source confirmed to CBS Sports that Hawkins’ NIL deal is slightly over $2M, making him the highest paid college basketball player over Great Osobor, who followed his coach Danny Sprinkle from Utah State to Washington.
Hawkins spent the past four seasons at Illinois, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last year for Brad Underwood’s club. He then put his name in the NBA draft process but decided to return to school when he didn’t get assurances he’d be selected in the draft later this month.
Hawkins then became among the most sought after players in the portal, ultimately choosing Kansas State over programs like North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisville, LSU, and SMU.
For the Wildcats, Hawkins becomes one of many high profile transfer additions, coming to Manhattan alongside point guard Dug McDaniel (Michigan), forward Achor Achor (Samford), center Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) and big man Baye Fall (Arkansas) – among others.
How coach Jerome Tang puts all the pieces together will be among the more intriguing storylines in the Big 12 and all of college basketball next season, but there is little doubt Hawkins will make a big impact on the ‘Cats.