It will be just fun for Illinois AND Kofi. I think we actually get better after seeing some recent video on Dainja. No disrespect at all towards Kofi. Once in a lifetime talent for college basketball.
Going to be fun!
It’s the right time for Kofi and for the Illini to set out on that new path for each.
Another year in college wasn’t going to change the trajectory for Kofi much. And for the Illini, they don’t have to try to manage to be two different teams on the floor any more within the same game. They were one kind of team with Kofi on the floor and another kind of team when he wasn’t. And the Illini didn’t always make the in-game transitions that smoothly.
As for Kofi... it was a joy seeing the Orange have that strong body and big smile working for The Beloved. And those wondrous thunder dunks. And then... a sweet technique improvement on the free-throw line. Always a big plus for any big man.
And another thing he did by coming to the Prairie State was to make it cool to come to play for the Illini. Just like Trent did when he opened that door... and then Ayo.
Now, everyone in college ball knows its cool again to come to Illinois. You’re going to be successful on the floor... you’re going to develop your game... if you’re good enough, you’ll make it to The Association... and you’ll be adored by the fan base like no other place.
Kofi now takes his place on the Illini Mount Rushmore of faces for the 21st Century.
And The Illini get ever closer to that Final Four placement that should always be the baseline standard in every season.