Former Illinois ahead Coleman Hawkins, one of the best participant left within the switch portal, introduced Friday that he has dedicated to Kansas State.
Hawkins visited the Wildcats’ campus final weekend after a scheduled journey to Louisville was canceled. An upcoming go to to LSU was additionally canceled, which left coach Jerome Tang’s program because the clear favourite.
The 6-foot-9 Hawkins is coming off his greatest school season, averaging 12.1 factors, 6.1 rebounds and a pair of.7 assists per recreation. He shot 36.9% from 3-point vary and earned honorable point out All-Massive Ten honors as Illinois made the Elite Eight.
He performed a few of his greatest basketball in Massive Ten motion, ending with 30 factors towards Iowa and scoring a minimum of 20 in 4 different video games.
After the season, Hawkins entered his title into the NBA draft earlier than becoming a member of the switch portal in late April. When he entered the portal, he mentioned his “intention is 100% to remain within the draft.” However Hawkins withdrew his title proper earlier than the deadline and have become probably the most sought-after switch nonetheless on the board.
He’s No. 10 in ESPN’s switch rankings.
Tang has now added eight gamers from the portal this spring. He has fully revamped his frontcourt, additionally signing ahead Achor Achor from Samford and shot-blocker Ugonna Onyenso from Kentucky. Michigan switch Dug McDaniel will run the present as the purpose guard.
Kansas State took a step again in 12 months 2 underneath Tang, going from the Elite Eight in 2023 to lacking the NCAA match in 2024. However the Wildcats’ rebuilt roster has them in place to get again to the match in 2024-25 — and doubtlessly ranked within the Prime 25.
