It marks the second straight season that Hawkins has appeared on the Watch List for the Karl Malone Award after being named to the list in 2023-24 while at Illinois.

Hawkins was one of 20 players on the preseason list, including five from the Big 12. Aside from fellow Big 12 players — Arizona’s Carter Bryant, Baylor Norchard Omier, Houston’s J’Wan Roberts and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin — other prominent members of the list include Alabama’s Grant Nelson, Auburn’s Johni Broome, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins and UConn’s Alex Karaban.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, Nov. 1. In early February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in early March, to just five. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.

The honor is yet another preseason one for Hawkins, who was selected to the Watch List for the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year on Wednesday (October 30) by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. He has also been named as the Preseason Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Big 12 Second Team by the league coaches on Oct. 10.

Hawkins was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24 after averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game for the Fighting Illini while posting career-bests for field goal percentage (45.1), 3-point field goal percentage (36.9) and free throw percentage (79.2). He is the only player in Illinois history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals.

Hawkins enjoyed a solid debut for the Wildcats in the 70-56 exhibition win over Division II Fort Hays State on Tuesday night, as he posted 13 points on 3-of-7 field goals, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, to go with a team-high 6 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 32 minutes.

K-State will officially tip off the season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against New Orleans at 7 p.m., CT.

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are still available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase now to see the Wildcats all year by visiting www.kstatesports.com/tickets or calling (800) 221.CATS.

How to follow the ‘Cats: For complete information on K-State men’s basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team’s social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.