He could pull out of the draft and still end up being declared ineligible to play NCAA ball. Then he would either probably play G league or go overseas.
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Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal
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I don’t really follow the NBA so I can’t say what scouts are looking for, but it is hard for me to believe playing for UK would be to Kofi’s advantage over ANY D1 school. They all know who he is. They all know what he is and they will all be watching no matter where he plays. He just needs to play
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
I think the draw is he gets to be reunited with his coach and the guy that recruited him.
we think the comfort is in Champaign when maybe it is OA.
Ok. There is that. But…. PLEASE KOFI! COME BACK!
Apples and oranges. Pre and post NLI era.
We have some stats for the pre-NLI era - I do not have these stats, but suspect no one did come back (once they entered the portal).
For the NLI era, Robert Rosenthal (@ALionEye) had posted, on twitter, a set of four kids (max allowed on twitter) who had opted for the transfer portal, along with the draft. Indicating Kofi's action is not an odd ball. Since this is the first year for the NLI, we have no stats - yet.
I do not expect Kofi back. BUT, that does not mean that that will be the trend. We just do not know (for the post-NLI era)
However, IF Kofi is back, I have a hunch that Garcia will also sign up.
I suspect Thursday will be crucial.
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Probably not that simple. He has bonds with his teammates and Underwood, and knows that he has a magical PG that will feed him incessantly. He also knows that we'll have a better team than KY (our ceiling is higher).
I looked up that tweet. One of the four examples is Dawson Garcia. He's almost definitely not going back to Marquette and according to our insiders appears to be on the verge of coming to U of I. Two of the others cited in that tweet, Sahvir Wheeler and Mbacke Diong, have already announced they are transferring, to Kentucky and UCF, respectively. These are not very encouraging examples.
Thanks for looking it up (I was lazy)!
I think, pre-NLI, it was a given that kids left once they entered the portal. I suspect it is never easy to repair a relationship once a kid enters a portal. I also suspect a kid entering the portal is encouraged to enter the portal by their "support system" - ex-coach, family, friends, etc.
I would be very surprised if Kofi did come back. But if he were to come back I would not have the same feeling towards him - not happening. I do not think his # should *ever* be retired, even if he came back. I think he should make his $$ and move on - where ever he goes - that I can digest.
The best scenario I can think of is Garcia + another very good big, and Kofi to where ever.
According to one rebel guru, Kofi and Garcia will announce for Illini this week. If correct, mail the Illini the Big Ten trophy. Said NLI is really helping Illinois.
I think overseas is the most likely scenario if he doesn’t get drafted and doesn’t come back to Illinois.
That would be one hell of an ending to this off-season. And proof underwood is the man.
I would not be surprised if Kofi came back. He appears to be following a reasonably thought out plan. The goal is to start earning income.
1) Test the NBA and get feedback.
2) Get a feel for how much he would make in non-nba leagues.
3) Allow other colleges teams to contact him with NLI deals, to get a better feel for his NLI worth. (They can't contact him until he enters the portal.)
All of this could be done while on very good terms with the coach. This is nothing personal. This is business. If another team offers significantly more NLI money, he can give ILL the chance to match it.
Entering the portal without talking to the coach first would be rude. I do not recall reading whether he notified Underwood first or not.
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Yes, I wasn't trying to introduce a ton of nuance with the analogy, but you're right. As far as exposure and connections, we are inferior to Kentucky. As far as NLI, we probably match up with them at the very least.
Kofi isn't some secret in Champaign, he's nationally known and with even a moderate PR campaign can be made a household name as the POY hype gets started.
The way we all thought about transfers and loyalty is out the window. I don't like it but I think we have the means to compete in this new environment.
illini80
- Forgottonia
This is supposed to be against the rules. I also have no doubt that it will happen all the time. Cheaters gonna cheat. The money may be above board now but all the other illegal recruiting will still happen.
Could he make more overseas than at UI?
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Maybe, maybe not. I think this was talked about in another thread. Depending on the overseas team, he might not even get paid at times - and we don't know how much he could make here.
So...
I could not agree more on this. Why would you not enter the portal with NIL available? Business is Business and camaraderie happens where ever you are. Kofi is/has kept the communication lines open. Legacy at Illinois will happen if the money is right. NIL has changed everything for this situation.
I understand the thought process but the thing that is holding me up from being optimistic about Kofi returning is the fact that other big names that have pulled out of the draft haven't entered the portal. Liddell and Champagnie being the first 2 that come to my mind. Why are they so naive to the "leverage" and "business" side of things?? I hope the big man returns and dominates in orange and blue but entering the portal and returning still seems like a long shot. Hope I'm wrong
.However, snagging Garcia to go along Payne and Hawkins would still be very solid. 2 big rim runners for Curbelo is enticing! Either way, I think we are still going to have a solid group of guys wearing the orange and blue!!
Hate to say it, but that would be my expectation at this point. Reasoning:
1. To me it's as simple as who is he most attached to - Underwood or Antigua? OA is an incredible relationship builder and big man coach.
2. Tampering is over-rated. No one cares, and this is Kentucky we're talking about. If they can do it and get away with it (and they can), they will.
3. OA might be on good terms with Underwood, but it won't matter if Kofi is talking to Kentucky. It's a free for all that the better recruiter will win.
4. Despite the optimism, Illini posters have a terrible track record on these kinds of recruitments. National insiders are much more reliable.
No inside info, just musing. Hope he makes it to the NBA regardless --it's been a treat to watch him. He's a generational talent. I won't have any bad feelings if he returns somewhere else (ok, that's a lie, I'd have a smidge).
If Kofi pulls out of the draft, I think he's in a no lose situation. If he returns for his jr. year, he'll make good money and be on a title contender. He'll get a lot of good pitches for his services. Gonna cross my fingers, but not hold my breath.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Agreed, overseas is a guaranteed money, we don't quite know how much money a player will be able to make in NIL. It will become more of a sure thing, but in year 1 it could be a little iffy while all the kinks get ironed out.Maybe, maybe not. I think this was talked about in another thread. Depending on the overseas team, he might not even get paid at times - and we don't know how much he could make here.
So...
So your argument essentially comes down to, "He has a better relationship with Orlando than Underwood and Kentucky is elite". I can understand why you'd think that, but honestly, I think this is all about $money$. Relationships are cool and all, but he's trying to support himself. All that stuff goes out the window.
Also, I'd bet it's not as simple as Orlando vs. Underwood. It's the relationship he has with his teammates and not to mention Fletch
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
if TA is AC3 we have that to sell as well. can't hurt that TA founded Ground Zero and has prepped many players for NBA Draft
I actually think the opposite. I think NIL money will be out of control over the first couple years and then get reigned in.
I heard 600k so far for the Cavinder twins on the Fresno State women’s bball team.
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Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
I thought women's basketball lost money at most universities, how can an endorsement at a school like Fresno justify that much money.
Edit: whoops I'm out of the loop, its because they have twitter/instagram/youtube channels with a ton of followers already and would finally be able to make money on them.
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