Kansas basketball should consider adding Ryan Hawkins

Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self has reportedly expressed interest in Northwest Missouri State star forward Ryan Hawkins, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week. Hawkins elected to use his extra year of eligibility to pursue other options.

Hawkins would be another excellent addition for Jayhawk Basketball this offseason based on his incredible success for the Bearcats.

Ryan is one of the most accomplished Division II players in recent memory, leading Northwest Missouri State in their recent stretch of dominance.

In the 2020-2021 season, he averaged 22.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, shooting 54% from the field and 46% from three.

In 2020 and 2021, Hawkins collected First-Team All-MIAA Conference honors

Hawkins’s defensive abilities add another dimension to his game. The forward led the Bearcats in steals in each of the last three seasons.

In 2019 and 2020, Hawkins won MIAA Conference Defensive Player of the Year and landed on the conference All-Defensive Team consecutively in the last three seasons.

Northwest won the MIAA Conference regular-season title in each of Ryan Hawkins’s four seasons and won two Division II National Championships.

Adding Ryan would benefit Kansas Basketball by adding more forward depth, scoring ability, and defensive intensity.

Hawkins is a stretch forward able to score from the post and the perimeter. His defensive abilities are a valuable asset. The Jayhawks need players to step up defensively, especially with Marcus Garrett’s departure for the NBA Draft.

Bill Self has shown a willingness to recruit Division II talented, adding Cam Martin. If signed, Ryan Hawkins would be a strong addition to the Kansas Basketball roster this upcoming season.