Wah Gwaan
Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal
- Status
So uh... insiders are alluding to Kofi coming back then? Can't it just be Friday already?
Exactly. People let's not forget he was the first to call Epps. Let's not chase LvilleILL away like we did 0440 since we only have a few people left on here with quality info.
sacraig
- The desert
Seems to be mixed signals from posters who we think have inside connections. So... not really sure what to think other than we will know Friday.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
One of Kofi's stipulations is that Red Stripe be on tap at every basketball game next season. I pledge 10 beers a game, I hope the rest do your part.
I agree with you that people are never going to be satisfied, and some of the complaints have been way overboard but to be fair there is a wide gulf between that example and someone posting a "boom" gif when nothing is finalized and the situation remains fluid. I don't think it's unreasonable to want some of the nuance that exists in these situations explained (though the form of complaints is often pretty terrible). I've noticed Lville has been very good about that lately.
I'm also going to go out on a limb here and say the complaining about the complaining has been pretty bad here lately and I personally don't find that very enjoyable either.
Kofi seems to be an Illinois lock now…
blackdog
- Champaign
I'm at the beach and about to go drink one to honor the big man
This seems like solid reasoning to me. Illinois basketball may well be among the 10 most valuable, but Kentucky has been throwing more resources at basketball, and for a long time. There may not be many programs that exceed Illinois, but Kentucky is one of them. I saw a 2019 article that had Calipari's comp at over $9 mil, even more than K. I assume that enthusiasm applies across the board to how they run things, including NIL.
I don't fault Kofi for looking for the best situation for him. Not sure how much I'll root for him if he transfers, but I'm absolutely thrilled with how he helped the team the past couple years. Easily the best center since Meyers Leonard. Shame he's not getting the same feedback from the NBA --hope he makes it.
Honestly the best news yet. That guy is batting an even .000
They can post as much as they like. But it's foolish to count on what they say. Your definition of "quality" info seems pretty broad.
sacraig
- The desert
Why give this joker a larger audience by sharing this? If he's right it's by chance.
Even better, he bats .000 while eating plate loads of blue dog turds.
We should all know if you’ve been paying attention…..
According to Jitter23:
Both UI and UK have withdrawn scholarship offers and Kofi has decided to sit out this upcoming year to meditate on what to do better for next years NBA draft.
Holy crap you delivered! I’m impressed with our ranking ahead of UCLA, Michigan and Texas but clear eyed about Kentucky lapping us in revenue. Indiana is number 2 but we’re closer to them at 10 than they are to Kentucky.
mattcoldagelli: “As I understand NIL, players would stand to make the most money the most easily at schools with large, engaged fanbases and businesses willing to line up to advertise to those fans. Do we have that? Yes. At the level of Kentucky? No.”
And we should be thankful we don’t have that at the ‘level of Kentucky’. There is a difference between being passionate fans and being obsessive. When a program believes it’s their birthright to dominate a ‘profession’ forever and do ‘whatever it takes’ there is something big amiss going on. In that regard, let’s hope the Illini never become a Kentucky.
As for Kofi, he turned a page... and the Beloved should do the same. As much as these guys should make their bucks, when one steps away from a program they are sending a message to their (former) teammates and certainly to the fanbase of the program that they are easily replaceable. Good luck to Kofi... and better luck to the Illini moving on from this.
And we should be thankful we don’t have that at the ‘level of Kentucky’. There is a difference between being passionate fans and being obsessive. When a program believes it’s their birthright to dominate a ‘profession’ forever and do ‘whatever it takes’ there is something big amiss going on. In that regard, let’s hope the Illini never become a Kentucky.
As for Kofi, he turned a page... and the Beloved should do the same. As much as these guys should make their bucks, when one steps away from a program they are sending a message to their (former) teammates and certainly to the fanbase of the program that they are easily replaceable. Good luck to Kofi... and better luck to the Illini moving on from this.
So I assume it's us vs UK at this point since he hasn't taken any visits and no other schools have been mentioned. Trying to look at this objectively and the pros/cons of each school.
UK:
Pros
-An NBA factory. Putting guys in the league is their M.O.
-As a blue blood, more exposure on a national level.
-Playing with and practicing against 5-stars and future NBA guys to help hone his game.
-Tight relationship to his guy Antigua, now at UK.
-NIL $$$, and regular ol' UK booster Fedex envelope $$$.
-Possibly the best b-ball facilities in the country.
-Academic responsibilities are a tad less taxing and time-consuming.
Cons
-Not known as developers of talent. Roster of mostly 5-stars who come to show out for a year and declare for the draft. Kofi is not one of those, he needs more development to pass that bar (or he would've stayed in the draft).
-After 2 years, Kofi is a known quantity to NBA scouts. He needs to show out in certain areas, and likely won't have as much opportunity with so many other 5-star options on the team.
-Kofi won't be the centerpiece like at UI.
-New system, 7 new players (3 FR, 4 transfers), where will he fit in to the overall scheme, how well will they gel?
-Team could fall flat again like last season, and with it the exposure.
-Not as much fan love, has to be shared with other stars, which could affect NIL $
-Just another in a long line of great players. Less likely to be a legend with jersey hanging in the rafters.
UI:
Pros
-Curbelo, best pg in college b-ball. Not only a human-assist machine, but causes all kinds of chaos in the lane to Kofi's benefit.
-Kofi will be the centerpiece of all and any schemes. Players will be looking for him every time down the floor.
-At UI, he'll be the star attraction. And as a returning AA, will be the face of the Big Ten and one of the faces of college basketball, with massive NIL potential. At UK, he may not be THE guy on his own team.
-Relationship to Underwood, an elite motivator cited by Kofi.
-Development. Has developed/improved each of his first 2 years at UI. With GA still on staff, and the addition of TA, a proven NBA developer, his development should continue. (This could be our ace in the hole).
-Ayo. Came back to UI for his 3rd year and is now a sure NBA draftee.
-Familiarity. Knows the school, the system and the players, no learning curve or gelling issues.
-Fan love. Not just another face in the loaded roster like at UK. Could translate to NIL $.
-Will be a beloved legend for the rest of his life in the state of Illinois, and with Illini fans all over the country (and world).
Cons
-Not a blue blood. Lacks the sure-fire exposure of UK.
-Without Ayo, team probably not as good as last season. So maybe not as much exposure.
-No Giorgi, the fun factor won't be the same w/o his best bud and roommate.
-No connection to the new ACs.
-NIL $ may be below UK. Good ol' booster money definitely not as good.
-May have to study a little bit.
-Practicing against Lieb probably not as challenging as whoever's on the UK scout team.
UK:
Pros
-An NBA factory. Putting guys in the league is their M.O.
-As a blue blood, more exposure on a national level.
-Playing with and practicing against 5-stars and future NBA guys to help hone his game.
-Tight relationship to his guy Antigua, now at UK.
-NIL $$$, and regular ol' UK booster Fedex envelope $$$.
-Possibly the best b-ball facilities in the country.
-Academic responsibilities are a tad less taxing and time-consuming.
Cons
-Not known as developers of talent. Roster of mostly 5-stars who come to show out for a year and declare for the draft. Kofi is not one of those, he needs more development to pass that bar (or he would've stayed in the draft).
-After 2 years, Kofi is a known quantity to NBA scouts. He needs to show out in certain areas, and likely won't have as much opportunity with so many other 5-star options on the team.
-Kofi won't be the centerpiece like at UI.
-New system, 7 new players (3 FR, 4 transfers), where will he fit in to the overall scheme, how well will they gel?
-Team could fall flat again like last season, and with it the exposure.
-Not as much fan love, has to be shared with other stars, which could affect NIL $
-Just another in a long line of great players. Less likely to be a legend with jersey hanging in the rafters.
UI:
Pros
-Curbelo, best pg in college b-ball. Not only a human-assist machine, but causes all kinds of chaos in the lane to Kofi's benefit.
-Kofi will be the centerpiece of all and any schemes. Players will be looking for him every time down the floor.
-At UI, he'll be the star attraction. And as a returning AA, will be the face of the Big Ten and one of the faces of college basketball, with massive NIL potential. At UK, he may not be THE guy on his own team.
-Relationship to Underwood, an elite motivator cited by Kofi.
-Development. Has developed/improved each of his first 2 years at UI. With GA still on staff, and the addition of TA, a proven NBA developer, his development should continue. (This could be our ace in the hole).
-Ayo. Came back to UI for his 3rd year and is now a sure NBA draftee.
-Familiarity. Knows the school, the system and the players, no learning curve or gelling issues.
-Fan love. Not just another face in the loaded roster like at UK. Could translate to NIL $.
-Will be a beloved legend for the rest of his life in the state of Illinois, and with Illini fans all over the country (and world).
Cons
-Not a blue blood. Lacks the sure-fire exposure of UK.
-Without Ayo, team probably not as good as last season. So maybe not as much exposure.
-No Giorgi, the fun factor won't be the same w/o his best bud and roommate.
-No connection to the new ACs.
-NIL $ may be below UK. Good ol' booster money definitely not as good.
-May have to study a little bit.
-Practicing against Lieb probably not as challenging as whoever's on the UK scout team.
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Exactly right!
Look at Phil Knight and Tinker Hatfield with Oregon. Phil Knight net worth is $50+ BILLION alone and I underestimated
Exactly
Good analysis
My take
1. Kofi never had a like player to practice with at Illinios
2. Kofi gained his brand, notoriety and fame at Illinois
3. Yes AO and Chin recruited Kofi to Illinois helped in Kofi's development as did playing in best college bball conference, the Big 10, against a number of good, big and athletic centers
4. New Illini coach is not chopped liver. Coach Anderson has helped develop some big time players like Jabbri Parker and will help Kofi expand his abilities as a bball player for an NBA career.
5. The students, alumni, the Big 10 love Kofi... I see much NIL dollars for Kofi at Illinois
Wonder what’s making them worry, or if it’s just because it hasn’t happened yet and they think they’ll get Duren instead
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
So it's either Duren or Duren & Kofi, oh no those poor UK fans how will they ever survive!
Their insiders aren't....FYI
And ours have been "frozen out"
Even Ayo said that he's gone.
Wish the kid the best and move on.
I think he's making a mistake. He wont be the focal point. He'll get his touches from rebounds, not assists.
- Status