With size, skill, and versatility, Coleman Hawkins was always a sleeper in the 2025 draft class — and now the Golden State Warriors are betting on his upside in Summer League play.
The former Kansas State forward signed a Summer League deal with the Warriors after going undrafted this week.
Former Illini Coleman Hawkins will join the Golden State Warriors training camp roster. Hawkins went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, however, the Warriors are a good fit. Here's why 👇
STORY: https://t.co/GycZZPEN9D pic.twitter.com/fJ5TIJOqFd
— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) June 28, 2025
Hawkins revealed on social media that he also drew pre-draft interest from the Timberwolves, Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his lone season at K-State, Hawkins averaged 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, earning All-Big 12 Third Team honors.
Known for his versatility, he showed an inside-out scoring game, playmaking ability, and the defensive length to guard multiple positions.
Before transferring to Manhattan, Hawkins spent four seasons at Illinois and was ranked the No. 4 power forward in the transfer portal.
He started slow at K-State — scoring in double figures just once over the first five games — but broke out in Big 12 play, stringing together five straight double-digit games.
That stretch included key wins over ranked teams like West Virginia, Iowa State, and Kansas. He capped the season with a career-best 26 points and eight rebounds in a Big 12 Tournament win over Arizona State.
Hawkins will see a familiar face in Golden State, reuniting with former Illinois teammate Brandin Podziemski. The two were part of the Fighting Illini roster in 2021–22.
Kansas State had multiple players secure post-draft opportunities. Cam Carter, Arthur Kaluma, and Selton Miguel signed Summer League or Exhibit 10 deals, while forward David N’Guessan, who declared in April, remains unsigned.
After finishing 16–17 (9–11 Big 12) and missing the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, the Wildcats are entering a full rebuild.
They return just three scholarship players — freshman PG David Castillo and forwards Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning — and have added major transfers, including MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson (Akron) and Second-Team All-American PJ Haggerty (Memphis).
In a league valuing size, skill, and versatility more than ever, Hawkins fits the modern mold — now he just needs to seize the moment.