Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal

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#1,026      
Also true, but these guys get more training on live response than your average user. With hype at stake, I just don't see him giving a legit response until he's ready to. He's seen how much interaction his posts get. I don't think he's likely to forget that, particularly on a live stream with a teammate who's fan base has been vocal about him coming back.
I also don’t think that’s how he would tell a former teammate like Coleman that he’s leaving his team, but I could be wrong
 
#1,027      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
I also don’t think that’s how he would tell a former teammate like Coleman that he’s leaving his team, but I could be wrong
This Up Here GIF by Chord Overstreet
 
#1,029      
I have a teen age son with a good sense of humor. On an almost daily basis we have a dialogue like this:

parent: “ hey go unload the dishwasher”

son: “never!!!l” as he walks out of the room or resumes whatever it was he was doing. He’s playing be almost always does what was asked of him.

I am not sure if Kofi was playing, but it seems likely given the context.
 
#1,030      
Oscar T. left because a 6-8 PF was encroaching on his spot in the middle. What happens when you plant a 7 footer. The game isn't set up to have two post up bigs.

The Kentucky players are not going to feed Kofi like Illinois players. I wouldn't be surprised to see decrease ppg. The NBA would not like that trend.
Kofi>>>Oscar, Oscar is insignificant in this discussion, but he should care about the ball needs of the other guys on the roster
 
#1,031      
I see a lot of signs that Kofi is gone --national analysts, "his" coach (Kofi's words) leaving, selling the gear, things he's reported to have said, the lack of enthusiastic things said since about Illinois (I don't read too much into that, but it does IMO point in the wrong direction). On top of that, Kentucky has been a powerhouse closing out elite recruitments. Personally, I'll be shocked if he's here this fall.

Should be plenty of PT available for Hawkins and Payne. I'm worried about post defense and depth, but Underwood has done a good job establishing identity. IMO this team has enough pieces to find one.
 
#1,032      
I see a lot of signs that Kofi is gone --national analysts, "his" coach (Kofi's words) leaving, selling the gear, things he's reported to have said, the lack of enthusiastic things said since about Illinois (I don't read too much into that, but it does IMO point in the wrong direction). On top of that, Kentucky has been a powerhouse closing out elite recruitments. Personally, I'll be shocked if he's here this fall.

Should be plenty of PT available for Hawkins and Payne. I'm worried about post defense and depth, but Underwood has done a good job establishing identity. IMO this team has enough pieces to find one.
This is probably where everyone should place themselves mentally. Don't be surprised if Kofi is elsewhere next season.
 
#1,033      

illini80

Forgottonia
This is probably where everyone should place themselves mentally. Don't be surprised if Kofi is elsewhere next season.
I agree. I just hope he makes the call soon. He’s putting the staff in a tough spot. He has the right to take his time of course, but I would hope he takes Underwoods situation into consideration.

With the no sit transfer portal and the number of players involved, the NCAA needs to take another look at the recruiting calendar. July can’t be a time when visits aren't’ allowed anymore.
 
#1,041      
I'm just generally exasperated that we're all so willing to be sucked in to social media clues time and time again. I don't think we'll ever learn as a fan base not to read too much into things, but then again, that's why we're on this message board.

Bottom line is that all of these athletes are social media savvy. Nothing they do/say should be taken as gospel truth until it's an official announcement.
I agree there is a lot of silly over-analysis that goes on by us fans.

But in this case, this appears to be just 1 of 10 signs that he's not coming back. Maybe he will surprise us. I was pretty shocked when he committed to us in the first place
 
#1,043      
A resounding endorsement
View attachment 11145
So I think 3 variables are weighing on Kofi’s decision, basically which school will:
1. Help him improve lateral quickness/Guard PnR.
2. Allow him to shoot jumpers/pass/showcase other skills for NBA beyond back to the basket game.
3. Provide most lucrative NIL opportunities.

While I’m sure he is closest with OA, with Fletch I think we have to have the advantage with 1. Fletch has a 2 year history of helping Kofi transform his body and have to think he can tweak workouts to emphasize lateral quickness, including diet/nutrition to become leaner. I’m sure BU would be on board with whatever changes are needed to get Kofi to the next level.

Think we also have an advantage on 2. While BU has gone away from it in recent years, he is an expert in orchestrating the pinch post offense, which would allow Kofi ample opportunity to shoot/pass/drive, etc. guessing Kofi didn’t have the skill set coming in to be effective in pinch post position but may be effective now. Also our front court is less crowded and the only guy he really needs to worry about sharing the ball with here is Belo who is a pass first PG and complements Kofi nicely.

Number 3 is an unknown but would think we could at least be competitive given the brand he’s already built here and he would be the guy/face of the team. But who knows what pie in the sky figures UK or others may throw around.

Only Kofi knows what weight he is giving each of the 3 variables, but I do think there are risks to his physical and basketball development should he go elsewhere. Fletch helped transform him from a lumbering big to what you see today. Hope Kofi recognizes the role fletch played in getting him to AA and it looks like he does.
 
#1,047      

Loyalillini10

Urbana, IL
So I think 3 variables are weighing on Kofi’s decision, basically which school will:
1. Help him improve lateral quickness/Guard PnR.
2. Allow him to shoot jumpers/pass/showcase other skills for NBA beyond back to the basket game.
3. Provide most lucrative NIL opportunities.

While I’m sure he is closest with OA, with Fletch I think we have to have the advantage with 1. Fletch has a 2 year history of helping Kofi transform his body and have to think he can tweak workouts to emphasize lateral quickness, including diet/nutrition to become leaner. I’m sure BU would be on board with whatever changes are needed to get Kofi to the next level.

Think we also have an advantage on 2. While BU has gone away from it in recent years, he is an expert in orchestrating the pinch post offense, which would allow Kofi ample opportunity to shoot/pass/drive, etc. guessing Kofi didn’t have the skill set coming in to be effective in pinch post position but may be effective now. Also our front court is less crowded and the only guy he really needs to worry about sharing the ball with here is Belo who is a pass first PG and complements Kofi nicely.

Number 3 is an unknown but would think we could at least be competitive given the brand he’s already built here and he would be the guy/face of the team. But who knows what pie in the sky figures UK or others may throw around.

Only Kofi knows what weight he is giving each of the 3 variables, but I do think there are risks to his physical and basketball development should he go elsewhere. Fletch helped transform him from a lumbering big to what you see today. Hope Kofi recognizes the role fletch played in getting him to AA and it looks like he does.
He went away from the pinch post because it sucked and it didn’t work.
 
#1,048      
Duren may pick KY as a 21 reclassify at end of month after Peach jam. According to this article, KY should value Duren over Kofi, although Kofi may choose before Duren decides. KY struggled last year without outside shooters and habitually struggles to have chemistry in first part of typical year. Wish Kofi best but I think he would be better off as an Illini.

 
#1,049      
Legit question: does it really matter if UK (or any other school) runs out of scholarships if the next guy up is one set to earn six figures via NIL money?

Where I am going with this is -- would Kofi or any other transfer care that much about having to pay two semesters of his own tuition if he's promised a half mil or more of NIL money? Couldn't he just walk on? Do scholarships really matter all that much for TOP level recruits who are going to get paid a lot?

This is just one of many questions I have about the impact of NIL.
 
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#1,050      
Legit question: does it really matter if UK (or any other school) runs out of scholarships if the next guy up is one set to earn six figures via NIL money?

Where I am going with this is -- would Kofi or any other transfer care that much about having to pay two semesters of his own tuition if he's promised a half mil or more of NIL money? Couldn't he just walk on? Do scholarships really matter all that much for TOP level recruits who are going to get paid a lot?

This is just one of many questions I have about the impact of NIL.
I thought I read somewhere that if a player earns more through his NIL than his parents income then we would be taken off scholarship and have to pay for his tuition
 
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