Kofi Cockburn declares for the draft

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#51      
Asking because I really do not know. Do European Leagues hold a draft, similar to our, that include foreign (U.S.) players?
 
#52      
We all knew he would declare (I actually was under the impression he already had, ala Trent!), and the true suspense for us will be rather the feedback he gets leads to him staying in or coming back for an Ayo-like hyped up junior year. However, can anyone remember what his "declaring post" was like last year? Any notable differences in tone that might give an indication of how he's feeling??

I want Kofi to do what's best for him and his family, but MAN would I be pumped to watch that kid continue to get better during a junior year that would be filled with packed SFC crowds and reengaged Illini fans once again invading rivals' gyms. I honestly think that without Kofi we are sitting right at #20-#30 preseason, but with him we are EASILY top 10. That is a massive swing for how pumped you can get about our chances at actually achieving that deep Tournament run next season, and it'll be kind of stressful waiting to know where we stand. :LOL:
 
#53      
We all knew he would declare (I actually was under the impression he already had, ala Trent!), and the true suspense for us will be rather the feedback he gets leads to him staying in or coming back for an Ayo-like hyped up junior year. However, can anyone remember what his "declaring post" was like last year? Any notable differences in tone that might give an indication of how he's feeling??

I want Kofi to do what's best for him and his family, but MAN would I be pumped to watch that kid continue to get better during a junior year that would be filled with packed SFC crowds and reengaged Illini fans once again invading rivals' gyms. I honestly think that without Kofi we are sitting right at #20-#30 preseason, but with him we are EASILY top 10. That is a massive swing for how pumped you can get about our chances at actually achieving that deep Tournament run next season, and it'll be kind of stressful waiting to know where we stand. :LOL:

I actually think the swing is bigger than that. With Kofi we should be top 10. Without, I think we probably land in the 50ish range. That is how big of a difference he makes IMO. Without Kofi, we lose two all-americans and a third starter (Miller) from last years team, and Giorgi and Damonte too. We still have solid guard depth, but we would be in some serious trouble without a single Big who has proven they can score.
 
#54      
I actually think the swing is bigger than that. With Kofi we should be top 10. Without, I think we probably land in the 50ish range. That is how big of a difference he makes IMO. Without Kofi, we lose two all-americans and a third starter (Miller) from last years team, and Giorgi and Damonte too. We still have solid guard depth, but we would be in some serious trouble without a single Big who has proven they can score.
Baylor would like to have a word with you.
 
#55      
Asking because I really do not know. Do European Leagues hold a draft, similar to our, that include foreign (U.S.) players?
No. I don't know specifics, but I think players can sign with whatever team they want. I do know they don't have a draft.
 
#57      
I love Kofi but he could come back and really work on his defense, especially in the pick and roll in addition to working on a jump shot. He'll still make money if/when he leaves but he can benefit from coming back just like Ayo
 
#58      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
I've changed my tune just a bit on this.

Before I was more of the opinion that Kofi banging in the B1G as a traditional 5 for another year would not do much more for him.

Now after watching a little more NBA this year, I really believe he could absolutely improve NBA aspects of his game here. Especially if the offense continues to evolve the way BU want's it to. Length and athleticism running the floor.

Kofi can absolutely improve his shot from 10' including his FT's. He can absolutely improve running the floor, his defense, and his passing.

Much of that of course depends on how the offense is designed, and the kind of feedback he gets from the NBA. I agree with the takes that he could get leaner, quicker and continue to improve his footwork. Of course some of this is depends on his body and how it responds.

It could be that he just is who he is by now. I just question that because of the short time he has been committed to basketball overall.
 
#59      

Illwinsagain

Cary, IL
I actually think the swing is bigger than that. With Kofi we should be top 10. Without, I think we probably land in the 50ish range. That is how big of a difference he makes IMO. Without Kofi, we lose two all-americans and a third starter (Miller) from last years team, and Giorgi and Damonte too. We still have solid guard depth, but we would be in some serious trouble without a single Big who has proven they can score.
Maybe I am drinking too much Kool-Aid, I agree about Kofi coming back puts us up near where we were this past season. Without him though, I still believe that we will be top 25ish, but look MUCH different. A lot more 3 pt shooting, which leads to hot/cold games. It can still be very successful.
 
#60      

illiniCA

DC Area
I love Kofi but he could come back and really work on his defense, especially in the pick and roll in addition to working on a jump shot. He'll still make money if/when he leaves but he can benefit from coming back just like Ayo

Kofi has plenty to work on but the big question is if comes back does that change his position enough to get him a larger payday. Hopefully the draft process gives him that info.
 
#61      
Maybe I am drinking too much Kool-Aid, I agree about Kofi coming back puts us up near where we were this past season. Without him though, I still believe that we will be top 25ish, but look MUCH different. A lot more 3 pt shooting, which leads to hot/cold games. It can still be very successful.

Yeah, that was my thinking. And maybe I am also drinking too much Kool-Aid. However, Curbelo looked like the best player on the team for significant stretches of the end of our season, and Frazier coming back is huge. A lot will depend on how much stock others/"experts" put in the additions of Payne and Plummer to fix any issues we might have. If Da'Monte were to return, I think it would be to the point where we would certainly be a "question mark" team that would have some issues inside, but our guard depth would be absolutely good enough to warrant a preseason ranking, considering we were a 1-seed last year. If Kofi were to come back, when people consider just what we were able to accomplish with Ayo out last season, there is no real argument to keep us out of the top 10.
 
#62      
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.
Deon Thomas fans might disagree about that, "most dominating," part. He did score quite a few points.
 
#64      
Deon Thomas fans might disagree about that, "most dominating," part. He did score quite a few points.

I was too young to watch Deon, but it seemed he was more of a "skilled big man." That isn't a knock on Kofi, but the way Kofi truly affected a game with his physicality alone was like nothing I have ever seen before. It was so fun watching him get frustrated and go up for a big dunk and watch smaller defenders literally back away and look scared, haha.
 
#65      
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?
Good point. For GB, it appears in his goodbye hee like Illinois but wants to be closer to home and play somewhere in Europe. Hamlin and Lieb are both a reach and the coaching staff is likely looking hard at transfers for a backup #5.
 
#66      
I was too young to watch Deon, but it seemed he was more of a "skilled big man." That isn't a knock on Kofi, but the way Kofi truly affected a game with his physicality alone was like nothing I have ever seen before. It was so fun watching him get frustrated and go up for a big dunk and watch smaller defenders literally back away and look scared, haha.
Or like Wisconsin's Davidson hanging on Kofi's arm
 
#67      
I was too young to watch Deon, but it seemed he was more of a "skilled big man." That isn't a knock on Kofi, but the way Kofi truly affected a game with his physicality alone was like nothing I have ever seen before. It was so fun watching him get frustrated and go up for a big dunk and watch smaller defenders literally back away and look scared, haha.
*And referees
 
#68      
Deon Thomas fans might disagree about that, "most dominating," part. He did score quite a few points.

As someone who watched both, I'm going with Kofi. I think Kofi's defense dominated Deon's, and his offense this year was pretty solid. I don't think this would be a debate if Kofi's stayed for two more years. I'm not sure it is much of a debate even now. :p

Unrelated to the dominating player question, I found Kofi far more entertaining to watch.
 
#69      
Agree
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.
 
#70      
Makes sense to me. School is expensive if you can get an automatic $2-3 million in the NBA go for it. Never would have to work again in your life with that.
 
#71      
Makes sense to me. School is expensive if you can get an automatic $2-3 million in the NBA go for it. Never would have to work again in your life with that.
This reasoning is exactly why so many pro players get into financial trouble.

Suppose you earn $2M in a year.
- 1M: You will immediately pay about half of it in taxes. (~44-52% depending on your state for Fed, state, Medicare, etc.)
- 280k: An average house (280k is the average US cost. It is much higher in most major cities.)
That leaves ~750K.

Starting this young, you can only pull ~3%/year safely. That comes out to ~22k year. Living on this would be tight.

Doing the same calculations for earning $3M: $3M -> 1.5M post tax -> 1.2M post house -> 1.2M*.03 -> 36k/year. 36k/year is enough for a couple in CU if they are careful. It isn't a life of luxury.
 
#72      
This reasoning is exactly why so many pro players get into financial trouble.

Suppose you earn $2M in a year.
- 1M: You will immediately pay about half of it in taxes. (~44-52% depending on your state for Fed, state, Medicare, etc.)
- 280k: An average house (280k is the average US cost. It is much higher in most major cities.)
That leaves ~750K.

Starting this young, you can only pull ~3%/year safely. That comes out to ~22k year. Living on this would be tight.

Doing the same calculations for earning $3M: $3M -> 1.5M post tax -> 1.2M post house -> 1.2M*.03 -> 36k/year. 36k/year is enough for a couple in CU if they are careful. It isn't a life of luxury.
That is a low ROI, but your point is well taking. I would expect at least a 5% if you play the market broadly, frankly there are dividends that pay higher then this and if you are living off your investment you should be considering those. Of course year to year fluctuates. With a 750k nest egg and house paid off you would still have to work to maintain a middle class life without an attempt and risk of more aggressive investment. However, that 750k, if even just moderately well invested, could easily be in the millions when you retire if you worked a job.
 
#73      
This reasoning is exactly why so many pro players get into financial trouble.

Suppose you earn $2M in a year.
- 1M: You will immediately pay about half of it in taxes. (~44-52% depending on your state for Fed, state, Medicare, etc.)
- 280k: An average house (280k is the average US cost. It is much higher in most major cities.)
That leaves ~750K.

Starting this young, you can only pull ~3%/year safely. That comes out to ~22k year. Living on this would be tight.

Doing the same calculations for earning $3M: $3M -> 1.5M post tax -> 1.2M post house -> 1.2M*.03 -> 36k/year. 36k/year is enough for a couple in CU if they are careful. It isn't a life of luxury.
Not to mention percentages taken off the top by agents, financial managers, etc.
 
#74      
Everyone seems to assume that there's no chance Kofi returns now that OA is gone. Feels like complete conjecture to me. Does anyone here really know if OA's relationship with Kofi trumps Kofi's relationship with his teammates? I mean, let's say for argument's sake that he knows if he comes back, a high-quality 4-man will join him (be it Liddell, Ntambwe, or Mitchell). And he knows he's got one of the best PGs in the country returning in Curbelo. I would think if he's returning to college, it makes the most sense to keep with the men that got him here instead of chasing OA for a season. JMHO.
 
#75      
Everyone seems to assume that there's no chance Kofi returns now that OA is gone. Feels like complete conjecture to me. Does anyone here really know if OA's relationship with Kofi trumps Kofi's relationship with his teammates?

One thing people also seem to have forgotten is Kofi's relationship with Fletch
 
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