Kofi Cockburn declares for the draft

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#2      

the national

the Front Range
Dang. Hope he gets great feedback and comes back to win nat’l player of the year 😉
 
#3      
Seems like this was expected to happen today. If Kofi knows he will be drafted I want him to go. If he gets feedback that he needs to be more dynamic on the offensive end I hope he sees what Ayo did and comes back for another year.

Glad the Illini are back to putting players in the NBA though.
 
#9      
Not surprised by the declaration but the wording was pretty definite. Do all "test the waters" statements read like this? Is he just trying to exude confidence by basically saying he's not coming back?
 
#10      
Really didn't read like he was just testing the waters, but I could be wrong.
I agree. That seems like an "all in" letter. He wants to start and career and get paid. He'll either be playing in the NBA(doubtful) or the G-League/overseas. He was older than other Sophomores during the 2020-2021 season. Can't blame him for wanting to fatten up the wallet sooner rather than later. That seemed like a heart felt buh bye. Could be wrong. Hard to tell tone in a letter.
 
#11      
Not surprised by the declaration but the wording was pretty definite. Do all "test the waters" statements read like this? Is he just trying to exude confidence by basically saying he's not coming back?
I think he is trying to show commitment to the NBA to be taken more seriously.

Bonus points for making a major announcement without using the phrase "with that being said"
 
#13      
I agree. That seems like an "all in" letter. He wants to start and career and get paid. He'll either be playing in the NBA(doubtful) or the G-League/overseas. He was older than other Sophomores during the 2020-2021 season. Can't blame him for wanting to fatten up the wallet sooner rather than later. That seemed like a heart felt buh bye. Could be wrong. Hard to tell tone in a letter.
I don’t think he’s in a rush to go G-League or overseas. That will be there for him in a year or two regardless. He’s got a better chance to improve his draft stock with 1 more year in college imo if he doesn’t get good feed back from teams.
 
#14      

Deleted member 380722

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Personally I don’t think returning would improve his stock at all. He is what he is, a very good collegiate player that doesn’t fit as well in today’s NBA. Not saying he won’t make an NBA roster, but I don’t think he would improve his chances of being a first round pick and getting a guaranteed contract by returning to school.
 
#15      
Personally I don’t think returning would improve his stock at all. He is what he is, a very good collegiate player that doesn’t fit as well in today’s NBA. Not saying he won’t make an NBA roster, but I don’t think he would improve his chances of being a first round pick and getting a guaranteed contract by returning to school.
Agree. His role in the NBA will be as a rebounder. He's 7'0", 280-290 pounds. He is who is is. He might get drafted late, but even if he doesn't....he can find the right fit, sign a two way contract and play a role for a team that needs 6-8 minutes of rebounding and an additional 6 fouls. Now, if he can finish around the rim consistently and not miss bunnies or get the ball stripped, add that to 8-12 minutes, same role.
 
#16      
Agree. His role in the NBA will be as a rebounder. He's 7'0", 280-290 pounds. He is who is is. He might get drafted late, but even if he doesn't....he can find the right fit, sign a two way contract and play a role for a team that needs 6-8 minutes of rebounding and an additional 6 fouls. Now, if he can finish around the rim consistently and not miss bunnies or get the ball stripped, add that to 8-12 minutes, same role.
Some teams need an inside presence...perhaps in only certain situations. ....Kofi' s presence in the middle defensively should be valuable to an NBA team. I'm a Heat and Mavericks fan...I can see a place for him on either of those teams when they play Embiid.

ATS, I look forward to watching him do the "Kofi Roar" at the next level.
 
#18      
Really makes you miss when guys stayed four years. That said, go get paid big man and thanks for everything you did for us.
 
#20      

chrisRunner7

Spokane, WA
I think he is trying to show commitment to the NBA to be taken more seriously.

Bonus points for making a major announcement without using the phrase "with that being said"
LOL. I have read "with that being said" so much recently, I was keeping an eye out for it in Kofi's tweet.

I really hope he comes back, but I would probably advise him to go pro. He can work on free throw shooting at the next level, wherever he's being paid. And I think he can pass OK from the post when he needs to, but he has found he can muscle through a lot of double-teams in college so why bother.

The problem with coming back is that his #1 value for the team would be to continue to plant him as close to the basket as possible on offense for dunks or bullying smaller players. We'd be dumb not to keep going back to that well, and we don't really need him to shoot mid-range jumpers or wander around the perimeter.

Who knows, though? Maybe he'd like a send-off year with fans and either finish or come close to finishing a degree rather than potentially playing in the G League. Maybe also depends on how much he needs the money... wish NIL were a done deal already. I know I would buy a "KOFI'S BACK" t-shirt if it'd help him return, lol.
 
#21      
20 years ago he would have been a top 10 pick. NBA is different today, but it is hard to train in a humble 7 foot, 285 athlete. I think he will be a late 2nd rounder or a pickup after the draft as a project. He has worked hard and hopefully has secured a future for him and his family. Good luck Kofi, if it doesn't feel right we will welcome you back with open arms.
 
#22      
Kofi is a talented young man with a great personality. It’s been a joy to watch him slamming the rock home against helpless opposing centers who were powerless to stop this titan. It was also a pleasure to watch him start hitting some key free throws in the important games down the stretch.

The Illini have an outstanding coaching staff. They have undoubtedly counseled Kofi about the strengths and weaknesses currently in his game. They have given him a future roadmap for what he has to work on to become a success in today’s fast-paced, Shoot From Three-oriented NBA style of play which would seem to be a challenge for an old-school big center type like Kofi is right now. But he’s got the size, talent, and drive to do what it takes to develop. All while flashing that smile.

For the Illini program to be at the Blue Blood level going forward, they will need successes in prepping guys for the next level. Ayo will be template example Number One. Kofi can be Example Number Two. As much as these young men might have Orange and Blue in their veins (we hope), getting to the next level is always the goal. The more the Illini grab top recruits and send them successfully off ready for the pros, the program and the player will both prosper.

And Illini Nation will know that regardless of the different future logos on their chests, a heart of Orange and Blue will always be beating beneath them.
 
#23      
Now what does BU do? Does he grab a 5 now or wait until Kofi gives his final answer? I am happy for Kofi but there is a good chance he comes back after listening to the scouts.
 
#24      
👀 👀 👀

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