Kansas State and Jerome Tang secured a significant addition to their roster with the commitment of Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins on Friday. Hawkins, standing at 6-foot-10, was ranked as the top remaining player in the transfer portal at No. 21 overall. He had been actively pursued by several programs, including LSU and SMU, before ultimately choosing Kansas State.
Following an official visit to the campus last weekend, Hawkins was impressed by the relationship built with Tang and his coaching staff. They aligned with his desires for a role that involved handling the ball and making decisions on offense. Importantly, Hawkins sought assurances that he could utilize his versatility, including shooting jumpers rather than being confined to playing in the low post.
At Illinois, Hawkins earned recognition as a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting nearly 37% from three-point range.
Hawkins’ commitment caps off a successful recruiting effort by Kansas State in the transfer portal. They previously secured commitments from Michigan point guard Dug McDaniel, Kentucky transfer Ugonna Onyenso, Samford’s Achor Achor, and Villanova’s Brendan Hausen, among others. This collective effort has elevated Kansas State’s transfer portal class to the No. 12 ranking for the 2024 cycle.
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