Ex-Kansas State's Coleman Hawkins Cheering On Former Illinois Teammate In Golden State

Podziemski further displayed his star capability with his 14-point performance in Golden State's Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets Sunday night. He was the highest-scoring Warrior outside Butler and Curry.

The breakup between Illinois and Hawkins was a loss on both ends. Hawkins finished an underwhelming season with Kansas State, missing the NCAA Tournament and putting a dent in his draft stock. Meanwhile, Fighting Illini fans missed Hawkins all season, expressing their support for the fifth-year senior since he transferred.

Hawkins still averaged 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks last season, logging career highs in several categories. He could still be an asset to an NBA team as a well-rounded prospect.

For now, though, it seems Hawkins is enjoying himself before entering Draft preparation.

"Right now, I'm doing everything that I couldn't do when I was playing," Hawkins said on The Field of 68 After Dark podcast last month. "I'm golfing, I'm going to NBA games, just doing stuff that I wouldn't be doing right now. Just enjoying my free time until I start ramping it up for pre-Draft."

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.