Kansas State’s Coleman Hawkins Cries After Baylor Loss

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Kansas State’s Coleman Hawkins wept following their 70-56 defeat to Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, marking the end of their season. The senior forward confessed that criticism surrounding his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract, estimated at $2 million, had impacted his performance throughout the year. His heartfelt post-game interview garnered significant attention, fueling discussions about the pressures athletes encounter in the era of individual name deals.

Here’s the statement made by Hawkins, the reaction from his coach, and implications for Kansas State’s future:

Hawkins spoke about an important matter, and here’s how his coach responded, which may impact Kansas State in the long run.

Coleman Hawkins in tears after Baylor loss

Reflecting on our heartbreaking 70-56 defeat against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament on March 12, 2025, I, Coleman Hawkins, found myself overcome with emotion as this loss signaled the end of our remarkable season.

After moving from Illinois following his decision to enter and withdraw from the NBA Draft, Hawkins concluded the game with five points made from two out of nine shots and seven rebounds. Kansas State ended their season with a record of 16 wins and 17 losses, and head coach Jerome Tang indicated that the team is not expected to join a consolation tournament.

Hawkins openly acknowledged that the criticism he faced had an impact on his game following reports of him receiving a $2 million compensation through NIL deals. He expressed, “These individuals haven’t gone through some of the things I have. I truly aimed to make a difference in the program. I apologize for crying, but honestly, this is painful.

He went on to say, “I believe I disappointed many people. I should have given others an opportunity to discuss me more effectively. This negatively influenced my performance, and it was ongoing throughout the entire season. If only I could rewind time, I’d shut out all distractions not for myself, but for the team, so we could have had a more victorious year.

Hawkins played at Illinois from 2020 to 2024, winning Big Ten Tournament titles in 2021 and 2024. He also led the team to the Elite Eight in 2024. This season, he averaged 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. His numbers dropped from 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks in his final year at Illinois. (via The Telegraph)

Coach Jerome Tang expressed concerns about NIL issues, stating that he believes some advisors don’t fully grasp all the challenges that athletes will face when their salaries become public.” (via The Sporting News)

In the upcoming stage of the Big 12 Tournament, Baylor (with a record of 19 wins and 13 losses) will proceed to square off against the No. 2 seed Texas Tech (boasting a record of 24 wins and 7 losses).

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2025-03-13 12:43