Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal

[LouHenson]

If Kofi does the best thing for himself it won’t be about NIL, but not about PNR. I would not want him on my team shooting 3’s that is not what the NBA told him (imho), we needs to guard PNR and pass out of the double team. What ever college team that can help him the most with those two skills is best for him.

NIL is peanuts compared to a lottery pick in the NBA draft.

 

[Poe's Law]

Well he would certainly prefer SEC refs if last year's B1G refs are any indication.

If he even casually mentioned in passing, big ten officiating and the handling of Ayo’s broken face as contributing to his transfer… I’d probably be able to find just a little love in my heart for Kofi when all the smoke cleared.

And if he goes all in on and blasts Kevin Warren, I’ll volunteer to raise his jersey to the rafters.

 

[thedrunkreferee]

If Kofi wants to go somewhere he can shoot 3s and not play to his strengths down low, then so be it. If Kofi is just coming back to improve his draft stock then maybe we don’t really want him. I’ll get a lot of flack for this I’m sure, but I don’t want to see Kofi anywhere on the perimeter. He can barely shoot free throws…

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

The takes are hotter than the weather these days.

 

[KnoxIllini2]

People don’t like Kofi going to UK

Well, yeah. No one likes the potential of Kofi wearing anything other than an Illini jersey. That is the nature of the portal, it giveth and taketh away.

 

[HoopCity]

Does Kofi have a girlfriend in CU ??

 

[IllinoisssssssVarsity]

The takes are hotter than the weather these days.

But not the ladies

 

[Kenny67]

Kofi is out of the draft, still in the portal according to his insta feed

My take

1. Kofi is 50/50 on returning to Illinois
2.a) Kentucky has a good chance to land Kofi because of se Coach Anteguia is now at KY but
2b) KY has that big guy from W. Virginia... possibly not Each minutes for both big guys.
2c) Whitman is likely writing his tampering letter to the useless NCAA.
2d) It is likely Ky Coach Calpipri knew through his NBA contacts Kofi was not a high NBA draft pick... a G league guy.
2e)Thus Coach Calipri went after coach Antigua and Chin

 

[warhog6g]

My take

1. Kofi is 50/50 on returning to Illinois
2.a) Kentucky has a good chance to land Kofi because of se Coach Anteguia is now at KY but
2b) KY has that big guy from W. Virginia... possibly not Each minutes for both big guys.
2c) Whitman is likely writing his tampering letter to the useless NCAA.
2d) It is likely Ky Coach Calpipri knew through his NBA contacts Kofi was not a high NBA draft pick... a G league guy.
2e)Thus Coach Calipri went after coach Antigua and Chin

Yeah I think you are being a bit optimistic

 

[Noblesville Illini]

There's a reason I avoid this place after a loss. The sky is always falling around here, or so it seems.

 

[IlliniKat91]

My take

1. Kofi is 50/50 on returning to Illinois
2.a) Kentucky has a good chance to land Kofi because of se Coach Anteguia is now at KY but
2b) KY has that big guy from W. Virginia... possibly not Each minutes for both big guys.
2c) Whitman is likely writing his tampering letter to the useless NCAA.
2d) It is likely Ky Coach Calpipri knew through his NBA contacts Kofi was not a high NBA draft pick... a G league guy.
2e)Thus Coach Calipri went after coach Antigua and Chin

This is where you lost me. I think you're overthinking this.

Cal saw two assistants, one of whom cut their teeth on his staff, who helped turn around Illinois and who had ties to NYC and Chicago. Programs like Kentucky don't build everything around getting one top-flight player. They build around bringing in as many top-flight players as possible for as many years possible.

 

[Kenny67]

Yeah I think you are being a bit optimistic

How so? The tea leaves are aligned such and I am sure Whitman is not sitting on his duff.
Also now that the NBA draft/Kofie draft is clarified... Coach Underwood likely Will hire a power 5 big guy coach soon plus get interest from other transfer big guys to play center at Illinois.

 

[madillini4]

Kofi went on Instagram live with Liddell today. Remember the rumors of Liddell being interested in coming here if Kofi stayed… but I wonder if Kofi has any interest in Columbus

L

Kofi went on Instagram live with Liddell today. Remember the rumors of Liddell being interested in coming here if Kofi stayed… but I wonder if Kofi has any interest in Columbus

 

[Illini-Rule]

You obviously are very plugged in but I simply cannot reconcile the fact that Kofi publicly stated he's considering UK if OA told him he can't come.

How does that make any sense? If OA said something along the lines of "I think you should consider going back to Illinois" then that is basically an empty statement.

Here is my uninformed opinion.

1st - I trust what 0440 says.

2nd - it is possible that publicly AO is telling Kofi he should stay at Illinois (that keeps him out of trouble for tampering), but with a wink and a nod and telling him behind closed doors they will take him if he's in the portal.

 

[Kenny67]

This is where you lost me. I think you're overthinking this.

Cal saw two assistants, one of whom cut their teeth on his staff, who helped turn around Illinois and who had ties to NYC and Chicago. Programs like Kentucky don't build everything around getting one top-flight player. They build around bringing in as many top-flight players as possible for as many years possible.

Yes speculation on my part but bro

1. Coach Calipri has big time NBA contacts
2. Coach Antigua previously worked for coach Calipri
3. Coach Calipri knows coach Antigua landed Kofi for Illinois.
4. Whitman knows this too.
I don't see how you don't see this?

 

[RockfordIllini]

Kofi went on Instagram live with Liddell today. Remember the rumors of Liddell being interested in coming here if Kofi stayed… but I wonder if Kofi has any interest in Columbus

Legit worried about this now. Rumor was Liddell was unhappy with having to play 5. Kofi would certainly solve that problem. And only one of them is in the portal.

 

[IlliniKat91]

Yes speculation on my part but bro

1. Coach Calipri has big time NBA contacts
2. Coach Antigua previously worked for coach Calipri
3. Coach Calipri knows coach Antigua landed Kofi for Illinois.
4. Whitman knows this too.
I don't see how you don't see this?

My tinfoil hat must not be tight enough

 

[Kenny67]

My tinfoil hat must not be tight enough

Likely you need a network extender.
I use a TP Link N300

 

[madillini4]

Legit worried about this now. Rumor was Liddell was unhappy with having to play 5. Kofi would certainly solve that problem. And only one of them is in the portal.

stop

 

[IlliniKat91]

Likely you need a network extender.
I use a TP Link N300

Nah, I'm straight on that

 

[Kenny67]

Try a network extender.
I use a TP Link N300.

 

[illinitiger]

Count me as one who doesn't see if that way. I think the dollars that people imagine are probably overstated. If Blue bloods like KU and UK were already slipping money, this might serve to level the playing field.

I think the programs that benefit the most are those located in cities that don't have one of three major pro leagues. The bigger that city the better. I think Ohio State is going to absolutely clean up and their players will lead the nation. I think Louisville is probably well positioned. Gainesville maybe?

Bases that have most giving and aggressive donors...(err..I meant "advertisers") ...those teams will win the NIL stakes, IMO.

 

[coryfor3]

I guess it’s Kofi’s fork in the road. Come back to UIUC and be a hero forever and probably have endorsements and job opportunities here forever (especially if it’s a memorable season) or leave for another school and be vilified here forever as a vagabond/ungrateful traitor who apparently never really cared as much as we thought about the community, fans, or teammates he leaves behind. He might go to a higher profile school and make more money in the short term but one year at Kentucky or a comparable won’t be anything more than that. No one will care about him when he returns to campus later in life like they would here. He won’t go back to Kentucky or a comparable and have opportunities, jobs or anything else waiting for him later in life.
Guys who are popular players and dedicates to the community and embrace the school and community don’t get forgotten.

 

[EllderIlliniFan]

I guess it’s Kofi’s fork in the road. Come back to UIUC and be a hero forever and probably have endorsements and job opportunities here forever (especially if it’s a memorable season) or leave for another school and be vilified here forever as a vagabond/ungrateful traitor who apparently never really cared as much as we thought about the community, fans, or teammates he leaves behind. He might go to a higher profile school and make more money in the short term but one year at Kentucky or a comparable won’t be anything more than that. No one will care about him when he returns to campus later in life like they would here. He won’t go back to Kentucky or a comparable and have opportunities, jobs or anything else waiting for him later in life.
Guys who are popular players and dedicates to the community and embrace the school and community don’t get forgotten.

When you changed jobs in your 20's, were you thinking about what you would be doing when you were 40?

 

[grue2]

When you changed jobs in your 20's, were you thinking about what you would be doing when you were 40?

Yes. Next question? You over there in the orange and blue.