Coleman Hawkins has been one of the most disappointing investments in college sports this season. Kansas State allocated over $1.5 million to the former Illinois standout, but his performance through 10 games has been underwhelming.
After four seasons with the Illini, where he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game in 2023-24, Hawkins entered the transfer portal as a graduate student. Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 230 pounds, he was a hot commodity, ultimately landing at Kansas State with an NIL package worth around $2 million—the highest for any active college basketball player. While many viewed the deal as an overpay, Kansas State took the gamble.
Unfortunately, Hawkins’ performance so far has not justified the investment. Through the start of the 2024-25 season, he’s had as many single-digit scoring games as double-digit ones and as many games with five or fewer rebounds as he has with more. Currently averaging 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, he’s far from the elite production expected of a player commanding such a massive salary.
Compounding the issue, Kansas State sits at 6-4 with losses to LSU, Liberty, Saint John’s, and Drake. Head coach Jerome Tang has defended his team, arguing that criticism surrounding the roster’s financial cost is unfair. However, fans reasonably expect a player with a $2 million deal to perform at a level commensurate with the investment.
That said, some of the fanbase’s reactions have been extreme, crossing acceptable boundaries in their comments toward Hawkins and his teammates.
I can’t use my phone without others wishing me the worse. Not just for me, but for the entire team. And it devastates me. I just checked my phone and saw someone say, “I hope you break your leg.” That is the type of situation that our squad has been dealing with all year.
It has a strong emotional impact on me since I would never want that on my worst enemy. We go out, practice every day, and play hard. We are doing the best we can. My message (to my teammates) would be: it’s us versus everybody. We can control what we can, and the rest will be a matter of tuning out and locking in.
— Coleman Hawkins
All things considered, there is still a lot of season remaining. Hawkins may become a celebrity. Kansas State might get hot at the right time and dominate the Big 12. Fans are plainly not going to be content until that happens.
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