Why Coleman Hawkins is most important team transfer for 2024-25

After an impressive first season as head coach at Kansas State, Jerome Tang’s team experienced a decline in the following year. Despite this, the Wildcats had a solid performance, achieving 19 wins and coming close to a .500 record in a competitive Big 12 conference. Since the conclusion of that season, Tang and his coaching staff have been actively making moves.

The Wildcats faced significant changes, losing their top three players from the previous season as Tylor Perry reached the end of his eligibility, and both Cam Carter and Arthur Kaluma transferred. To fill these gaps, Kansas State has acquired new talent, including former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel and Samford’s skilled big man Achor Achor. However, one standout addition stands out.

Coleman Hawkins, who spent the past four seasons at Illinois, underwent a transformative journey from a backup forward to a versatile player who excels in various aspects of the game. In his senior year, Hawkins not only contributed to leading the Fighting Illini to the Elite Eight but also achieved career-best statistics, including a 37% three-point shooting percentage, an 80% free-throw percentage, and double-digit scoring for the first time in his college career.

Hawkins is not a conventional big man; rather, he is a wing player capable of distributing the ball and operating across the court. His arrival is significant for the Wildcats as he complements the other off-season acquisitions. While Achor and Ugonna Onyenso, a former backup center at Kentucky, bolster the inside game, Hawkins assumes a versatile role in the team’s frontcourt.

It’s essential to recognize that Hawkins played alongside talented teammates at Illinois, such as Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, and more recently Terrence Shannon Jr. He was not the primary offensive option, and it is not expected that he will suddenly become one in Manhattan. However, he is a valuable scorer, rebounder, and all-around contributor who elevates the performance of those around him. This aspect played a significant role in the Wildcats’ willingness to invest in bringing him on board through their NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) resources.

Next season, there’s a possibility that Dug McDaniel could emerge as the leading scorer for Kansas State. While we could have focused on him, it’s more interesting to anticipate Coleman Hawkins’ performance in his last season of eligibility. Will he continue to progress and position himself for the 2025 NBA Draft? Moreover, does his inclusion contribute to Kansas State’s potential to return to the NCAA Tournament next March?