Came to K-State with One Goal in Mind

By: D. Scott Fritchen

You ask what Kansas State men's basketball means to Coleman Hawkins and he talks about winning. The Preseason Co-Newcomer of the Year stands in his purple quarter-zip, black sweatpants and white Nikes in the innards of the T-Mobile Center, his 6-foot-10 frame towering above the TV reporter holding a camera at Big 12 Media Day, and the Illinois transfer begins to talk.

"I just want to win," he says. "I want to shine a light on the Kansas State basketball program. I want to bring wins to my coaching staff and teammates. If we win, everyone wins. If Kansas State wins, then everyone in Manhattan wins. It goes a long way to be able to win and be known as a winner.

"That's my whole goal. I want to win."

Hawkins, head coach Jerome Tang, and teammates David N'Guessan and Max Jones are led to a different part of the back corridor in the basketball arena. Every step is new. Every step draws Hawkins closer to his official debut in a K-State uniform. The coach and players travel together. They walk as a pack. Folks backstage ask for selfies. Hawkins smiles and obliges.

"We're all well connected," Hawkins says. "We're never alone. We'll do everything as a team."

K-State returns three lettermen and welcomes a highly-regarded 11-man recruiting class to a program that is 45-25 in the last two seasons with 11 victories over AP Top 25 opponents, and Elite Eight and NIT appearance. Last season, the Wildcats went 19-15 overall and finished tied for ninth in the league with an 8-10 record in the Big 12. It included wins against No. 4 Kansas, No. 6 Iowa State, No. 9 Baylor and No. 25 BYU. The Wildcats finished strong with four wins in the final six games, including victories over the Cougars, Cyclones and Texas in the Big 12 Tournament.

K-State features the addition of eight Division I transfers, a junior college All-American, and a top-50 high school senior. The nine-member transfer class was rated among the top-20 in the country by ESPN, The Athletic, On3, 247Sports and the Field of 68.

The Wildcats have been picked eighth in the Big 12 preseason poll.

"I've been a part of teams that have been picked low and ended up winning the Big Ten," Hawkins says. "It doesn't really bother me. This is a competitive conference. My job is to win games and focus on that, not focus on predictions."

The 22-year-old native of Sacramento, California, was the top remaining transfer and No. 21 overall transfer when he committed to K-State on June 14. He enjoyed four impactful NCAA Tournament seasons at Illinois, where he became the first player in Illinois history to record 900 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a career. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 36.9% from 3-point range (59-of-160).

"He's a very versatile basketball player with a high IQ who can play guard and play offensively multiple positions," Tang says. "He takes great joy in seeing his teammates have success and that's rare and his teammates like him. When he's on the floor, he makes guys on the floor better players, and he makes me look like a better coach."

So why did Hawkins choose to transfer to K-State?

"I fell in love with the blueprint they had for me," he says. "Coach never said, 'You're going to start.' He never promised how many minutes I'd play. He laid down the basketball blueprint and it was different than everybody else. I was familiar with the type of coaching staff he had. I loved the fact that it was an all-black coaching staff. That was intriguing to me. I know these guys are super passionate and want to win, and I want to add value to a program. I wanted to add value to K-State."

N'Guessan has played in two seasons at K-State after transferring from Virginia Tech, where he also played two seasons. He announced on April 30 that he would use his final year of eligibility at K-State.

N'Guessan has been around talented players before.

"Coleman, at his height, his feel for the game, and his IQ, definitely he's deserving (of Newcomer of the Year)," N'Guessan says. "He can shoot the ball and really stretch the floor for us."

Adds Jones: "Coleman is a leader and a hard worker. He definitely looks the part on the court. What stands out the most? His personality. Other than basketball, it's his personality, and the way he talks to people and carries himself. He's very different than the average person."

There's a story that Tang likes to share. On October 5, the K-State basketball team hosted a showcase at the Dodge City Civic Center in Dodge City, Kansas.

"We did the trip so our guys could see how far our fans travel to come see us play, to see the sacrifice they make to support us," Tang says. "After the 4 ½-hour bus ride, I asked the team, 'Who enjoyed the bus ride?' And Coleman raised his hand.

"I know he's enjoying every aspect of this last year and really embracing it. The way he's been embracing all of this has been great."

Hawkins enjoys being coachable as well.

"Coach Tang is a real positive-energy person," Hawkins says. "He's always trying to get the best out of you. He's not afraid to tell you the truth. That's great. I've been very comfortable in my last couple years of college, and he makes things uncomfortable by telling the truth. He tells you the stuff you don't want to hear. He's great, positive energy, and I love that."

What does Hawkins love most about this team?

"The athleticism and pace we play at has really stood out to me," he says. "It's been fun to watch. We're really athletic, share the ball well, and play off each other well. It's been exciting to see. We have a really talented group. If we stay the course, we'll really compete in this conference."

And, hopefully, win.

Hawkins has heard the stories. He's seen the tape from big K-State wins. Bright lights shine down on K-State coaches and players as they bask in victory with their loyal fans at Bramlage Coliseum. Sometimes the celebrations make their way onto ESPN's SportsCenter.

"I would love to jump in and do the Wabash with people," Hawkins says. "That would be fun. I love doing the Wabash."

K-State plays its lone exhibition next Tuesday against Fort Hays State before officially opening the season against New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5 at Bramlage. The Wildcats embark upon the Big 12 season when they face Cincinnati on Monday, December 30 at Bramlage. They host Kansas on Saturday, February 8 at Bramlage.

"The Big 12 is loaded," Hawkins says. "It's always a great conference to compete in. I'm just excited to play against the best competition every night. New atmospheres, new environments — I'm just excited to play against great teams."

He pauses.

"I came here for competition," he says, "and that's what I'm getting."

Most of all, he came here to win.

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Coleman Hawkins

Max Jones

David N'Guessan

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