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Jeff Borzello, ESPN staff writer
Former Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins, the top player left on the transfer portal, announced Friday that he has committed to Kansas State.
Hawkins visited the Wildcats’ campus last weekend after a scheduled trip to Louisville was canceled. An upcoming visit to LSU has also been canceled, leaving coach Jerome Tang’s program as the clear favorite.
The 6-foot-9 Hawkins is coming off his best college season, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He shot 36.9% from 3-point range and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors while Illinois made the Elite Eight.
He played his best basketball in Big Ten action, finishing with 30 points against Iowa and scoring at least 20 in four other games.
After the season, Hawkins entered his name in the NBA draft before joining Transfer Portal in late April. When he entered the portal, he said he had “100% intention to stay in the draft.” But Hawkins withdrew his name just before the deadline and became the most sought-after transfer still on the board.
He is number ten in ESPN’s transfer rankings.
Tang has now added eight players from Portal this spring. He completely overhauled his frontcourt, also signing forward Achar Achar from Samford and shot-blocker Ugona Onyenso from Kentucky. Michigan transfer Doug McDaniel will run the show at point guard.
Kansas State took a step back in Year 2 under Tang, missing the Elite Eight in 2023 and the NCAA Tournament in 2024. But the Wildcats’ rebuilt roster has them in position to return to the tournament in 2024-25 — and potentially in the top 25.
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