Kansas State made it to the Elite Eight in head coach Jerome Tang's first season in 2022-23 then took a big step back in 2023-24, finishing 19-15 and 8-10 in Big 12 play and missing the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats have made a move to ensure they don't repeat that performance in 2024-25.
According to a report from NBA insider Shams Charania on X, Kansas State has landed a commitment from 6-foot-10 Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins.
"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," Charania wrote.
Hawkins, a Sacramento, California, native, has played for Illinois since 2020 and had the best season of his career in 2023-24 as he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks on the way to earning All-Big Ten honors.
Hawkins also started all 35 games for the Illini and had career-highs in field-goal percentage (45.6), three-point percentage (39.6) and free-throw percentage (79.2).