The system of name, image and similarity (NIL) in university athletics has been welcome by athletes who have been able to take advantage of brand associations, some of which are making millions just out of high school.
However, Coleman Hawkins of Kansas State is showing a different side of that system when athletes do not meet expectations despite those millions.
The Wildcats fell to the Baylor Bears, 70-56, in the Big 12 tournament, and the loss ended the 2024-25 campaign of the team.
Kansas’s head coach, Jerome Tang, said in his comments after the game that it was unlikely that the team would accept an offer for a consolation tournament: the NIT or the new tournament of the University Basketball Crown in Las Vegas.
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Kansas Wildcats Guardcats, Coleman Hawkins, leads to the basket during the first half against Sun Devils in Arizona State at the T-Mobile Center. (William Purnell/Imagn images)
Hawkins was supposed to transfer the Illinois Fighting Illini, would take the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament, something that managed last season with an elite appearance eight. He also declared for the NBA Draft, but returned to the University and, according to the reports, received $ 2 million to transfer to the state of Kansas.
But Hawkins, 23, did not have the same season he had with Illinois last year, with an average of 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, while shooting 40.1% from the field and 30.3% from the three -point territory. Hawkins averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while fired 45.1% from the field last season.
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Since the state of Kansas did not meet expectations this season, Hawkins showed a brutal side of being a high payment player.
“These boys have not experienced some of the things I have experienced,” Hawkins said through tears, referring to the reaction he has received from fans this season. “I really wanted to enter and impact the program. I regret crying, but, s —, this — hurts.
The Kansas Wildcats Guard, Coleman Hawkins (33), leads to the basket around Baylor Bears Norchad Omier (15) during the second half at the T-Mobile Center. (William Purnell/Imagn images)
“I feel that I disappointed many people. I feel that I did a bad job by letting people talk about me. It affected my game. I was happening all year. I would like to be able to return and block everything, not for me, but for the team, so that we could have a more successful year. This is a lesson learned for me, and I wish the best for the future of this program.”
Hawkins finished his fifth year of university, which means that his days of play at this level are finished. Now he will look towards possible professional opportunities, which could be declared for the NBA draft once again.
But Hawkins’ emotions and, more importantly, the Vitriolo and the violent reaction he received, is the reality of this matching payment system that NCAA and each university sport are still trying to navigate.
The Kansas Wildcats Guard, Coleman Hawkins (33), holds the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats striker Dillon Mitchell (23) in the second half in the fifth third sand. (Katie Stratman/Imagn images)
Like professionals who sign large money contracts, expectations are crossed when the dollar amount is made public. Fans expect players to play with their contract, and when that does not happen, the reaction can be brutal.
Hawkins said that from that from the beginning of the season and blocking it was not easy.
