Kofi Cockburn declares for the draft

Status
Not open for further replies.
#26      
Now what does BU do? Does he grab a 5 now or wait until Kofi gives his final answer? I am happy for Kofi but there is a good chance he comes back after listening to the scouts.
This is for sure the 24 million dollar question. You have to hold a spot for him. I hate Creaning but Hamlin would be better served to move to a school where he would play. Here is another twist (all be it unlikely), what it GB wants back in with Kofi gone? Probably very unlikely as he seems made to Europe as his best option, but it could happen? We will need someone behind Payne, and as it stands now it is Hamlin/Lieb. It sure that will get it done?
 
#27      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
This is for sure the 24 million dollar question. You have to hold a spot for him. I hate Creaning but Hamlin would be better served to move to a school where he would play. Here is another twist (all be it unlikely), what it GB wants back in with Kofi gone? Probably very unlikely as he seems made to Europe as his best option, but it could happen? We will need someone behind Payne, and as it stands now it is Hamlin/Lieb. It sure that will get it done?

Giorgi started selling T shirts as per his Instagram. He’s not coming back
 
#28      
Personally I don’t think returning would improve his stock at all. He is what he is, a very good collegiate player that doesn’t fit as well in today’s NBA. Not saying he won’t make an NBA roster, but I don’t think he would improve his chances of being a first round pick and getting a guaranteed contract by returning to school.

Plus he's going to be 22 in September. Big guys have a limited career span as it is. I think the main reason he came back last year was the lack of basketball jobs available due to Covid at all levels/across the world, so the only choice he really had was to come back. But this time, I think he's staying in because there's jobs out there even if it's not the NBA. Guarantee he'll have a spot in the G League at worst.
 
#29      
Against all of the length and quickness in the NBA I'm of the opinion that he doesn't have the confidence nor aggressiveness to be able to compete at that level quite yet. He needs to feel more comfortable when he is surrounded by longer more agile athletes around him and have better instincts when to pass it back out to the wings. He either needs one more year in college or the G League. There they can have less of an investment and take a little time to develop his game and work on a few facing the basket moves.
 
#30      
Personally I don’t think returning would improve his stock at all. He is what he is, a very good collegiate player that doesn’t fit as well in today’s NBA. Not saying he won’t make an NBA roster, but I don’t think he would improve his chances of being a first round pick and getting a guaranteed contract by returning to school.
Agreed. He isn't going to develop a 3 point shot over the summer. He's going pro. Hopefully in the NBA. Possibly overseas.Thanks for all you have done for the Illini Kofi. All the best to you and your family. You will always be a part of the Illini Nation family.
 
#31      
Most dominating big man in Illinois history. Really going to miss him. As an avid fan of NBA basketball I do think 1 more year developing a jumper could catapult him into 1st Round next year making a lot of money.
 
#34      
This makes a huge difference in the team now! Best of luck Kofi! Change you and your families life and go get that money Big man! Can't teach 7ft on any level! A team like Golden State would be unstoppable with Kofi! You can't double down on him with those shooters, and with that spacing he'd go to work and dominate!
 
#35      
I wish Kofi the best of luck, but unfortunately I don’t think he’s an NBA player in the current age of the game. If he could stay on the court defensively, then he could screen and roll and dunk on the offensive end as a 5th option on the court type player. The problem is on defense the other team will always put him in the screen and roll and he simply won’t be able to either stay in front of a quicker guard or will be giving up open three pointers. We got away with that because most teams can’t shoot the three at a high enough level in college to make us pay for sagging Kofi into the lane. NBA would make Kofi’s team pay for doing so.
 
#37      
Personally I don’t think returning would improve his stock at all. He is what he is, a very good collegiate player that doesn’t fit as well in today’s NBA. Not saying he won’t make an NBA roster, but I don’t think he would improve his chances of being a first round pick and getting a guaranteed contract by returning to school.
I think Kofi can be a version of Clint Capella. Lots of teams would take a 18/15/2 blocks a game kinda guy. Part of him coming back is also just to get more dominate at what he’s already great at.
 
#38      
It can’t be overstated how goof for the program it would be for Kofi (and Ayo) to get drafted and get drafted as high as possible. They are proof of concept for bigs and guards that you can come to Champaign to advance your talents for the NBA.
 
#39      
It can’t be overstated how goof for the program it would be for Kofi (and Ayo) to get drafted and get drafted as high as possible. They are proof of concept for bigs and guards that you can come to Champaign to advance your talents for the NBA.

Totally agree. But could we stagger them by a year and hold on to one of our All Americans??
 
#41      
I think Kofi can be a version of Clint Capella. Lots of teams would take a 18/15/2 blocks a game kinda guy. Part of him coming back is also just to get more dominate at what he’s already great at.

Capela is a lot quicker laterally than Kofi and is a much better shot blocker. Offensively they may be similar but I’m not sure Kofi can stay on the floor defensively.
 
#42      
Capela is a lot quicker laterally than Kofi and is a much better shot blocker. Offensively they may be similar but I’m not sure Kofi can stay on the floor defensively.
I agree. Capella is an all star talent though. If Kofi is just a version of that as I said, he’s still a good nba player for a long time
 
#43      
Ayo was very serious last year, too, and came back due to feedback. You just never know.
Exactly. Kofi is looking for feed back. At this point Kofi likely is a low 2nd round NBA pick. No guarantee contract here and much smaller $$$$. Kofi has to be listening to this. G league? Likely better off as an Illini for year 3 and develop his foot agility, an eight foot turn around jump shot. But who knows?
 
#44      
Objectively, don't see what Kofi has left to prove at college level. The way he gets abused leaves him vulnerable for injuries and makes it hard for him to develop his game.

He could come back and work on defense, passing out of the post, and maybe even more a mid range game but he can work on those things elsewhere while getting paid.

It was an absolute blast to watch him and will definitely is his rim rattling dunks and infectious smile
 
#45      
Exactly. Kofi is looking for feed back. At this point Kofi likely is a low 2nd round NBA pick. No guarantee contract here and much smaller $$$$. Kofi has to be listening to this. G league? Likely better off as an Illini for year 3 and develop his foot agility, an eight foot turn around jump shot. But who knows?
Has the government passed the bill to allow student-athletes to earn money on their likeness? If they have wouldn't Kofi be able to make a killing in Jamaica? This could keep him out of the G League possibly?

Grasping at straws to keep our monster in the middle.
 
#46      
Has the government passed the bill to allow student-athletes to earn money on their likeness? If they have wouldn't Kofi be able to make a killing in Jamaica? This could keep him out of the G League possibly?

Grasping at straws to keep our monster in the middle.

I'm interested in what type of draw basketball has in Jamaica. We see them dominate track in the Olympics, and a former Jamaican national teamer I know said track is part of the culture down there and you have school sanctioned racing in 3rd grade.

Also as we all know soccer is huge everywhere outside the US.

If the possibilities are strong for him, going anywhere but the NCAA would be good for his bottom line.
 
#47      
Objectively, don't see what Kofi has left to prove at college level. The way he gets abused leaves him vulnerable for injuries and makes it hard for him to develop his game.

He could come back and work on defense, passing out of the post, and maybe even more a mid range game but he can work on those things elsewhere while getting paid.

It was an absolute blast to watch him and will definitely is his rim rattling dunks and infectious smile
I agree with your post. Staff wasn't waiting for junior year to work on a jump shot and finding the open man. They've been doing it all along, but Kofi's not great at it, and we haven't really needed it from him (at least until the Loyola game.) Another year in college makes Kofi a little better at the things he's already good at. That can happen in a setting where he's getting paid, and not forced to take classes for a degree he has not intention of finishing.

Kofi's been a great player at Illinois, but it's time he got paid.
 
#48      

Deleted member 746826

D
Guest
This is for sure the 24 million dollar question. You have to hold a spot for him. I hate Creaning but Hamlin would be better served to move to a school where he would play. Here is another twist (all be it unlikely), what it GB wants back in with Kofi gone? Probably very unlikely as he seems made to Europe as his best option, but it could happen? We will need someone behind Payne, and as it stands now it is Hamlin/Lieb. It sure that will get it done?
you cant say that for sure about hamlin. many bigs take longer to develop. he was not going to go to college ball if memory serves but we talked into enrolling a year ealy. he still could provide five to ten minutes which could be the difference in a few games.
 
#49      

Deleted member 746826

D
Guest
I wish Kofi the best of luck, but unfortunately I don’t think he’s an NBA player in the current age of the game. If he could stay on the court defensively, then he could screen and roll and dunk on the offensive end as a 5th option on the court type player. The problem is on defense the other team will always put him in the screen and roll and he simply won’t be able to either stay in front of a quicker guard or will be giving up open three pointers. We got away with that because most teams can’t shoot the three at a high enough level in college to make us pay for sagging Kofi into the lane. NBA would make Kofi’s team pay for doing so.
Kofi doesnt have to be an nba prototype to make money. quite frankly he is not going to improve inmuch of anything that he doesnt already provide if he stays another year. you are just wishing he would stay.

I wish he would stay but he could go overseas where there is a ton of bball
 
#50      
As many have said, 10-15 years ago he is a sure fire first rounder. But, now... I think he's probably late second/priority free agent type.

He just doesnt have the lateral quickness, defensive versatility and range to be selected high. He could be a end of bench big who you see how far you can develope, or, best case he goes to Europe. I hope I am wrong and don't expect him to be back, even though that is probably his best option.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.