The name, image and equality system (NIL) in college athletics have been welcomed by student athletes who have been able to pay into fire partnerships, some of which make millions fresh out of high school.
However, Kansas State’s Coleman Hawkins shows another side of this system when athletes do not meet expectations despite these millions.
Wildcats fell to Baylor Bears, 70-56, in the BIG 12 tournament, and the loss ended the team’s campaign 2024-25.
Kansas State -Head coach Jerome Tang said in his comments after Postgame that the team would probably not accept a bid for a comfort tournament -NIT or the new college basketball kroner tournament in Las Vegas.
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Kansas State Wildcats Guard Coleman Hawkins drives to the basket during the first half against Arizona State Sun Devils at the T-Mobile Center. (William Purnell/Imag Images)
Hawkins, a transfer from Illinois, who fought for Illini, was to lead wildcats to the NCAA tournament, something he handled well last season with an elite eight looks. He also declared the NBA draft, but returned to college and allegedly paid $ 2 million to transfer to Kansas State.
But the 23-year-old Hawkins did not have the same season he had with Illinois last year, an average of 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per year. Battle while shooting 40.1% off the field and 30.3% from three-point territory. Hawkins average 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 45.1% off the field last season.
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Since Kansas State did not meet expectations this season, Hawkins showed a brutal side of being a top -paid player.
“These guys have not experienced any of the things I’ve experienced,” Hawkins said through tears, referring to the setback he’s got from fans this season. “I really wanted to come in and influence the program. I’m sorry to cry but, s —, this s — hurts.
Kansas State Wildcats Guard Coleman Hawkins (33) drives to the basket around Baylor Bears Forward Norchad Omier (15) during the second half of the T-Mobile Center. (William Purnell/Imag Images)
“I feel like I let a lot of people down. I want to do a bad job of letting people talk about me. It affected my game. It happened all year. I wish I could just go back and block everything, not for myself, but for the team so we could have a more successful year. This is a learned lesson for me and I want the best for the future for this program.”
Hawkins ended his fifth year in college, which means his play days at this level are done. He will now look ahead to potential professional opportunities that could once again declare the NBA draft.
But Hawkins’ feelings and, more importantly, vitriol and setback he received, is the reality of this payment-to-game system, such as NCAA and every college sport still trying to navigate.
Kansas State Wildcats Guard Coleman Hawkins (33) holds the ball against Cincinnati Bearcat’s tip Dillon Mitchell (23) in the second half of the fifth third arena. (Katie Stratman/Imag photos)
Like professionals who sign big money contracts, expectations go through the roof when the dollar amount is published. Fans expect players to play up to their contract and when that doesn’t happen, setback can be brutal.
Hawkins noticed that it wasn’t easy to go through it since the beginning of the season and block it.
