Kansas State Lands Top-Rated Transfer With Record NIL Deal
By Joe Summers
Jerome Tang and the Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball team landed one of the top transfer recruits available as former Illinois standout Coleman Hawkins.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Hawkins landed a $2 million NIL deal to join the Wildcats, believed to be the most lucrative deal negotiated by a collective.
As Kansas State hopes to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing 2023-24 season, Hawkins represents a massive win for Tang and his program.
Kansas State News: Wildcats Land Illinois Transfer F Coleman Hawkins
Sources: Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins – a 6-foot-10 F – has committed to play for Kansas State in what’s believed to be the most lucrative college basketball NIL deal ($2 million) negotiated from a collective by Nate Conley of Court XIV and Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 14, 2024
Coleman was a four-year player for the Fighting Illini. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks last year while shooting 45.1% from the floor and 36.9% from beyond the arc.
He emerged as one of the better two-way players in the Big 10 and should quickly become one of the Wildcats' leaders. The $2 million NIL commtiment is a clear indication that Kansas State is serious about competing in the new-look Big 12.
If you want big-time players in the modern game, you have to be willing to pay for them. The Wildcats and their boosters came through for the program with this example, and I'd expect Tang to stay active throughout the summer as he prepares for the new season.
Hawkins struggled in the NCAA Tournament, scoring just five points on 2-of-10 shooting in a loss to eventual champion Connecticut, though there's no shame in a poor performance against the best team in the country. The new Wildcat instantly makes the team better and fans should be thrilled about Hawkins' commitment.