Report: Coleman Hawkins Commits to Kansas State MCBB; Signed Record $2M NIL Contract | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Former Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins has reportedly transferred to Kansas State with a lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) deal.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Nate Conley of Court XIV and Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball landed a $2 million NIL agreement for Coleman at Kansas State, which is believed to be the largest NIL deal ever negotiated by a collective in college basketball.

Hawkins, who is 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 most pivotal 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), plus he was second on the team in assists per game (2.7) and third in points per game (12.1).

The 6’10” forward from Sacramento, California, helped Illinois post a 29-9 record and get to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament, which was the program’s deepest run since 2005 when it reached the national championship game.

Hawkins will join a Wildcats team that went a somewhat disappointing 19-15 and missed the NCAA tournament last season.

However, Kansas State made it all the way to the Elite Eight in 2023, which was Jerome Tang’s first season as head coach.

Few schools have made as sizable of an impact on the transfer market as KSU this offseason, as the Wildcats have landed a total of eight transfers.

Per 247Sports, Kansas State has the 12th-best transfer class in college basketball, and six of its transfers are rated at 4 stars.

Given what he was able to do as an all-around contributor for a top team in Illinois last season, Hawkins figures to step in and instantly be one of Kansas State’s best players in 2024-25.

Hawkins initially declared for the 2024 NBA draft, but he decided to withdraw and enter the transfer portal instead.

With one more productive season in a new environment, Hawkins could solidify his status as a likely selection in the 2025 NBA draft.