July 1 – Coleman Hawkins arrived in Manhattan, Kansas, last week. The start of one final college basketball season at Kansas State after four years at Illinois. Hawkins’ decision to play that senior year for the Wildcats simply gives him and Brad Underwood even more in common. The Illini coach played for Kansas State and later returned as an assistant coach to Bob Huggins and Frank Martin.
“I wanted him to go where he felt he could be a big contributor,” Underwood said of Hawkins. “Obviously, I know a lot of people there. The Wildcats are always in his heart as a former player and coach. Happy for him and happy for them.
“They’re getting a very, very good player. I’ve said it before. Coleman is a wise man when it comes to basketball. He will help them and he will help these players in terms of his knowledge, his understanding. His ability to manage a scouting report It’s as good as any I’ve ever had.
