Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal

[RockfordIllini]

There's footage out there of Kofi running dribble drills from the arc and shooting 3s and long jumpers during pre-draft workouts.

Just one example:

He seems to be very focused on demonstrating his range and versatility as a 5. He (I believe correctly) understands that he won't sniff the first round unless he can expand his game.

I still maintain no one will pay him to shoot 3’s. If he can keep people honest behind the arc, great. But if he can’t switch on the perimeter he won’t make the league.

 

[pruman91]

The gif-ting humor and expertise being done here is above reproach.....I love them .....I really really do.....

.................My brain thanks you..........................................................

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Huge fan of Kofi --wish him well whatever happens. Really, really enjoyed watching him play for Illinois.

That out of the way, the ESPN article gives me pause. Lot to digest there. My musings...

Does he have a jumper? It's hard for me to imagine him shooting the ball at a decent clip. His strength was establishing post position and bullying players. He scored over double teams, even triple teams. Fearless player. I don't recall him passing out of the post much either, certainly not in a way that show-cased NBA decision-making. And as far as shooting goes, I don't recall him even taking many shots out to the FT line. His pick and roll success seems to be as much a function of Underwood focusing on those easy baskets, and having an elite passer to feed him. Will he have that at another program?

Basically, what I took from those comments was that he wants to work on things that are outside his current game. And that makes me wonder what will happen in his next year of college if he goes to a program that sells him on those opportunities. The obvious downside is that he puts himself in a situation where he needs a program to accommodate areas where he's not efficient.

Just musings. Wish him the best wherever he winds up.

The things Kofi would like to work on and develop to become more NBA-ready are not in his current skillset, as you and many have pointed out. He may not be able to make that happen to a high degree even with another year back in college. Only time will tell, it will depend on the team he's part of. The Illini are well-stocked with outside shooters and slashers, so for him to become proficient on a 3-point % or even think about driving to the basket is going to be really tough with the current roster to compete against. How many times did he even lurk around the 3-point line on offense last year? Dunking is cool and impressive, yet he needs to expand his arsenal wherever he'll be. Also, if he returns, will this be a high priority for the coaches to consider if he wants to expand his arsenal in that direction? I guess we'll find out.

 

[Calvin]

There's footage out there of Kofi running dribble drills from the arc and shooting 3s and long jumpers during pre-draft workouts.

Just one example:

He seems to be very focused on demonstrating his range and versatility as a 5. He (I believe correctly) understands that he won't sniff the first round unless he can expand his game.

Thanks for the link. They either lowered the rim, or he's even bigger than I remember.

 

[LostinNebraska]

Thanks for the link. They either lowered the rim, or he's even bigger than I remember.

His jumper is looking better and better

 

[Goldtop]

There's footage out there of Kofi running dribble drills from the arc and shooting 3s and long jumpers during pre-draft workouts.

Just one example:

He seems to be very focused on demonstrating his range and versatility as a 5. He (I believe correctly) understands that he won't sniff the first round unless he can expand his game.

Would love to see him bring that to Illinois.

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

My Illini basketball enemies list:

1. Bruce Pearl
2. NCAA & Big Ten
3. Calipari and the UK inbreds
4. The people who chased away 0440
5. Jordan Bohannon
6. Fran and the Iowa pig farmeds
7. Mark Smith and the Miznoz crew
8. EJ Liddell
9. Kelvin Sampson, Eric Gordon & the Hoosier inbreds
10. Cliff Alexander and his dad

I guess there's no accounting for taste or for hate. But Liddell?

If I was making a list of players who rejected us and went to other schools and had success it would be too long for a top 100 list. Why would Liddell rise to the top of the list over Rashard Griffith or Jon Scheyer or E'Twuan Moore or Shannon Brown? Heck, Charles Matthews rejected us twice! Liddell handled his recruitment with class in my opinion and I wish him nothing but the best.

 

[logjam]

I guess there's no accounting for taste or for hate. But Liddell?

If I was making a list of players who rejected us and went to other schools and had success it would be too long for a top 100 list. Why would Liddell rise to the top of the list over Rashard Griffith or Jon Scheyer or E'Twuan Moore or Shannon Brown? Heck, Charles Matthews rejected us twice! Liddell handled his recruitment with class in my opinion and I wish him nothing but the best.

Probably recency, and IMO the piece we lacked to win it all, and the small chance that MS and family may have helped this outcome.

 

[kcib8130]

I guess there's no accounting for taste or for hate. But Liddell?

If I was making a list of players who rejected us and went to other schools and had success it would be too long for a top 100 list. Why would Liddell rise to the top of the list over Rashard Griffith or Jon Scheyer or E'Twuan Moore or Shannon Brown? Heck, Charles Matthews rejected us twice! Liddell handled his recruitment with class in my opinion and I wish him nothing but the best.

EJ is very far down the list of “Illinois enemies”. The game in CU earlier this year was the only time he did any real damage to us on the court, because we literally refused to guard him at all. He has done nothing off the court that was damaging to ILL.

 

[blackdog]

There's footage out there of Kofi running dribble drills from the arc and shooting 3s and long jumpers during pre-draft workouts.

Just one example:

He seems to be very focused on demonstrating his range and versatility as a 5. He (I believe correctly) understands that he won't sniff the first round unless he can expand his game.

I think its still easy to forget that the man has only been playing ball for what 5 years? Incredible growth in such a short time. I would fully expect he is nowhere near his skill ceiling. It gets a little silly sometimes when people talk like its going to be hard for him to get better. A lot of the stuff he is doing its his first time. Totally different from a normal guy his age who has been playing since they were 4 and is pretty set with what they can/can't do.

 

[KnoxIllini2]

EJ is very far down the list of “Illinois enemies”. The game in CU earlier this year was the only time he did any real damage to us on the court, because we literally refused to guard him at all. He has done nothing off the court that was damaging to ILL.

I wonder what lie Chin told EJ to make him hate Illinois so much.

 

[Maniscalco Madness]

I admittedly don’t know a ton about Dawson Garcia, but is there any chance he would be a better fit in BU’s offense than Kofi? They both seem to have different skill sets correct?

 

[SescIllini]

Fellas, this thread is getting very ugly.

I've learned bad news is real about 85% on this board. Good news happens about 50%....and great reports are about 10% true.

I've also learned that to be successful you have to fail. Whitman/BU getting a one year B.S in BBB from UK. They will up their game from these tough lessons.

 

[SCottm]

Just my .02 cents, but wondering:
If Kofi has been told that he needs to work on his outside shot and passing by NBA scouts.. Don't we think that he will chose a team that features a high post big man? And won't his motivation be to hone those skills rather first and foremost, not necessarily sacrificing those to help that team win?

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Just my .02 cents, but wondering:
If Kofi has been told that he needs to work on his outside shot and passing by NBA scouts.. Don't we think that he will chose a team that features a high post big man? And won't his motivation be to hone those skills rather first and foremost, not necessarily sacrificing those to help that team win?

If winning doesn't enter into it and that's his main goal, perhaps the G-league would be the best option.

 

[Piasa]

I admittedly don’t know a ton about Dawson Garcia, but is there any chance he would be a better fit in BU’s offense than Kofi? They both seem to have different skill sets correct?

If you have watched any film of his, he is quicker, more versatile, better in an uptempo game. Kofi was second team all american at Illinois last year. That is very good.

 

[wewillwint]

Fellas, this thread is getting very ugly.

I've learned bad news is real about 85% on this board. Good news happens about 50%....and great reports are about 10% true.

I've also learned that to be successful you have to fail. Whitman/BU getting a one year B.S in BBB from UK. They will up their game from these tough lessons.

So that is 145%. I think you are about 75% correct.

 

[Loyalillini10]

If Kofi wants to improve his jump shot and perimeter game, great. However, I don’t know if BU would change up his offense (which worked very well last season) to allow Kofi to get more outside shots. All the coaches want to help their players achieve their (the players) highest goal(s), but the head coach’s job is to win a championship. Personally, I don’t see BU putting his 7’0, 285 lb center around the perimeter to make him more marketable to the NBA. If Kofi hits a lot of shots in practice, maybe. But I am having a hard time envisioning that coming together.

 

[Dee43]

Since Kofi is in the portal and it’s the dead
Period can he still meet with our coaches face to face?

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Since Kofi is in the portal and it’s the dead
Period can he still meet with our coaches face to face?

Per previous posts, that meeting was to have occurred or is to occur yet this week.

 

[Piasa]

Since Kofi is in the portal and it’s the dead
Period can he still meet with our coaches face to face?

Can't say I am absolutely sure, but he is with the illini program until they say he is not. Until the aid ends. Recruiting calendar would not apply.

 

[illiniguy]

Since Kofi is in the portal and it’s the dead
Period can he still meet with our coaches face to face?

For fear of zombie outbreaks, there are no dead period visits...communications are only allowed by Ouija board or through NCAA certified mediums.

 

[groupie]

I hope it comes down to NIL dollars and we find alums to pay Kofi $$$. Reward for choosing us, for working hard, for coming back… and a sign that the Illini can compete at the highest levels.

Then work on Kofi’s jumper, and on crashing the boards. Let him miss three 3’s a game, he can make up for it on the defensive end.

And let’s also hope the kid from FL lives up to his lofty HS ranking and gives Kofi an inside target in addition to kicking out to our three shooters.

 

[chudaman]

If Kofi transfers to Kentucky, I will be disappointed, and will really resent the Kentucky coaches.

If Kofi transfers to o$u then honestly he shoots to the top of my enemies list. The good times were good, but that is an unforgivable sin. Hopefully that's not where this is headed. It would kill me to see him in scarlet and grey.

If Kofi transfers to Iowa it will blow.
If Kofi transfers to Indiana it will suck.
If kofi transfers to Duke I will puke.

 

[illinitiger]

So that is 145%. I think you are about 75% correct.

On the board mindset...85% bad and 50% Good?
-Maybe sometimes you have bad and good at same time...?

-or you "take the bad with the good"....?

Sescillini,...you seem to have posed a higher math or logic challenge for us.