It wasn’t long into Kansas State basketball forward Coleman Hawkins’ career that he learned a hard lesson about nepotism.
“I feel like going back to my freshman year of high school, I grew up on AAU teams where the players’ dads were the coaches,” Hawkins said. “No offense to Brendan (Hausen, K-State guard). I know Brendan’s dad coached him for a while, but it was always just like ‘Daddy Ball’ like the (coaches’) kids got to shoot every shot.
“So, I had to find ways to impact the game, and that was just growing up. But then when we got to high school and everyone separated, and (when) it was finally my chance to be the guy, I was able to impact the game in multiple ways, rather than just trying to score all the time.”
Difficult as it might have seemed at the time, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound Hawkins parlayed his diverse skill set into a scholarship to Illinois, where last year in his fourth season he helped the Illini reach the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. As a senior in 2023-24, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
Related:Kansas State basketball thrives by getting back to basics against Oklahoma State
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Related:Kansas State basketball vs Oklahoma State recap: Wildcats get payback, cruise to big win
After withdrawing from the NBA Draft last summer, Hawkins took advantage of an extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA for players who were active in 2020-21 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He signed a lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with K-State reportedly worth $2 million.
But with that hefty price tag, plus the Wildcats’ early struggles on the court — they are 9-11 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12 heading into Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa — has come heavy scrutiny from K-State fans.
Hawkins has continued to fill the stat sheet, much as he did at Illinois, but none of the individual numbers have been eye-popping. Yet he is the Wildcats’ third-leading scorer at 10.9 points per game while leading the team with 7.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.4 blocks.
Over the past couple of weeks, K-State has shown new signs of life, performing better in losses to Texas Tech, Kansas, and Baylor and then snapping a six-game losing streak with back-to-back convincing victories over West Virginia (73-60) last Saturday and Oklahoma State (85-57) on Wednesday.
Hawkins has played a key role in the resurgence, scoring 11 points with seven rebounds and four assists against West Virginia and then posting 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals in the blowout of Oklahoma State.
“He’s 6-9, 6-10, (and) he can handle the ball like a guard,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said. “He’s gifted with his vision like he can see the play before the play. And then he can post, too.
“He can draw a double-team in the block, he can draw a double-team on the perimeter, and when he wants to — and I’d like him to do it a little bit more — he can really shoot the ball. You can’t guard him one way.”
No one appreciates that more than Hausen, who benefitted from several Hawkins assists while knocking down all five of his 3-point attempts in the Oklahoma State game.
“My dad always tells me he’s the greatest passer he’s ever seen, and he’s like a 6-10 point guard,” Hausen said. “And if you have a 6-10 point guard on the floor that can shoot, pick-and-pop, and wants to hit guys, it’s pretty special.”
Hawkins’s impact has been even greater since the start of Big 12 play. He leads the Wildcats in scoring through nine conference games with a 13-point average while averaging 7.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
“It fires me up when I pass the ball to Brendan and he makes a three,” Hawkins said. “Anybody making a shot off of something I do, it fires me up.
“I don’t know if people expected me to score 30 a night or whatever, but that’s just not who I am. I like passing, I like just doing stuff that might not show up, but it excites me.”
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
Kansas State basketball forward Coleman Hawkins has been making waves on the court this season, showing tremendous improvement and raising his game to new heights.
Hawkins, a 6’10” sophomore, has been a key contributor for the Wildcats this season, showcasing his versatility and skillset on both ends of the floor. He has shown great poise and confidence in his game, making big plays when it matters most and stepping up in crucial moments.
One of the most impressive aspects of Hawkins’ game has been his improved shooting ability. He has been knocking down shots from beyond the arc with consistency, stretching the floor and providing a new dimension to Kansas State’s offense. His improved shooting stroke has made him a more dangerous offensive threat, forcing defenders to respect his outside shot and opening up driving lanes for his teammates.
Defensively, Hawkins has also been a standout player for the Wildcats. His length and athleticism allow him to disrupt passing lanes, block shots, and alter opponents’ shots at the rim. He has shown great energy and effort on the defensive end, making life difficult for opposing players and helping Kansas State secure key stops when needed.
Overall, Coleman Hawkins has been a rising star for Kansas State basketball this season, and his continued improvement and development will be crucial for the team’s success moving forward. Keep an eye on Hawkins as he continues to raise his game and make a name for himself in the college basketball world.
Tags:
Kansas State basketball, Coleman Hawkins, forward, game improvement, player development, college basketball, Big 12 Conference, sports news, athlete spotlight.
#Kansas #State #basketball #Coleman #Hawkins #raised #game
