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It may be mid-June, but that doesn’t mean the college basketball turnstile ever stops spinning.
Former Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins is bound for Kansas State, according to reports Friday, with The Athletic’s Shams Charania posting on X that his NIL deal of $2 million is “believed to be the most lucrative” in the sport.
Hawkins’ union with Kansas State follows last month’s reports, in which Washington reportedly awarded Utah State transfer Great Osobor at least $2 million to join the Huskies, making Osobor the highest-paid player in college basketball for 2024-25 in NIL deals.
Hawkins received an honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last year with the Fighting Illini, who reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, finishing with 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 per game.
The 6-foot-10 stretch player is also strong from deep, making 31.9 percent of 3-pointers in his career.
After leading Illinois to the Elite Eight and a Big Ten Tournament title, Hawkins declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining college eligibility on April 23.
It was revealed that the big man withdrew his name prior to the May 29 deadline, at which point speculation ramped up about Hawkins’ next destination.
Hawkins joins a Wildcats team that went just 19-15 last season but reached the Elite Eight the year prior.
Kansas State went on a memorable run in the NCAA tournament in 2023, taking down Kentucky in the second round followed by Michigan State at Madison Square Garden in the Sweet 16, courtesy of Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson’s overtime heroics.
Head coach Jerome Tang now boasts an overhauled roster with Hawkins, former Michigan guard Dug McDaniel and Samford transfer forward Achor Achor in what should be a good opportunity for a rebound season for the Wildcats.
It’s been a wild week for college basketball, with UConn’s Dan Hurley also turning down the Lakers head coaching job Monday — a six-year, $70 million deal — to chase a third straight championship with the Huskies.
