Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal

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#127      

BMoreIllini

Baltimore, MD
I'm sorry, but that's not true. You can argue that he has the right to go look elsewhere, but the idea that we've done nothing to engender loyalty is wrong.
I'm sorry, but college basketball is a business and finally the players can get a piece of the pie. There's no requirement for Kofi to be loyal to Illinois or worry about his legacy if he feels it's not in his best interest in getting to the NBA.
 
#130      
Well now we know why he was willing to sell all that Illini memorabilia. //S kind of
I wonder how much he made? If he didn't make as much as he wanted then maybe that played into his thinking?...Bottom line if he truly wants to profit on his name, likeness etc and a Kentucky wants him then he's stupid to not go
 
#131      
He is a great kid.Give him space and let him figure out what he needs to do.Smart kid who will figure out that he can win a national championship at UI this year,can make a bunch of money here and be idolized for all time.
 
#132      

illiniCA

DC Area
Talked to a couple of different people about this. The likeliest place for him to come back to is Illinois, he is more using the transfer portal as leverage from what I have been told. There is other factors at play about if he could even play in college this coming season. Everyone stop freaking out, if he comes back to college I would be surprised if he doesn't play at Illinois next season.

I am disappointed as a fan but this all makes a ton of sense. Kofi wanted to leave to make money. Hes not that young. If we can come back and make money than he should. If he thinks he can make more somewhere else he should consider it. Depending on how the future goes this might be his greatest earning potential year ever.

That being said transfer rules and NIL makes seem to make things challenging right now (for everyone). The changes occurred at the same time and it makes things chaotic.
 
#133      

drsmitty74

Rochester
Talked to a couple of different people about this. The likeliest place for him to come back to is Illinois, he is more using the transfer portal as leverage from what I have been told. There is other factors at play about if he could even play in college this coming season. Everyone stop freaking out, if he comes back to college I would be surprised if he doesn't play at Illinois next season.
Good points. Having his name at the top of the portal gets the most NLI attention he could get, regardless of where he plays.
 
#135      
I'm sorry, but college basketball is a business and finally the players can get a piece of the pie. There's no requirement for Kofi to be loyal to Illinois or worry about his legacy if he feels it's not in his best interest in getting to the NBA.
First, loyalty is never a requirement. The voluntary aspect of it is exactly what sets it apart from a utilitarian contractual relationship. He's been rooted for and supported by Illinois fans in a way that would call for some loyalty. Loyalty is never a one way street or without some balance with other factors. But the idea that we have done nothing that invites loyalty from him is wrong.
 
#141      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
I’d like to get back to giffing, please. That’s much more relaxing.
Tired Fat Cat GIF by Boomerang Official
 
#142      
A week ago or so he was staying in the draft, not coming back. Now he might play for another team, not coming back to play for Illinois. Same freakin' result. Just keep recruiting. Other bigs will be available, with more rounded games. Move on, don't look back, and never count your chickens.
I never put any stock into the Kofi return FYI. This isn't me getting my hopes up. This is me saying "why is everyone stepping away from the program"
 
#143      
I would still have Illinois as the most likely scenario for Kofi right now. But good lord, at least we can say this offseason hasn't been boring
At least this didn't happen last year during COVID. Now when our fans are hospitalized from heart attacks or institutionalized for insanity, their loved ones can visit.
 
#144      
I’d like somebody to offer up why they wouldn’t do the exact same thing in his shoes.
This NIL thing is brand new. Why immediately put your name in the portal? Why not return to Illinois? He’ll have the same amount of exposure as he would anywhere else. He’d be the face of the team this year AND the B1G. The amount of endorsements he’d get around the Illinois area would be bananas! Anywhere else he’s just another guy. At Illinois he’d literally be treated like royalty.
 
#145      
Hope he comes back but the way this offseason has gone, can't blame anyone for being pessimistic.
 
#147      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
Agreed. Kentucky makes no sense with Tshiebwe. This is a maximize value kinda ploy it’s just not really fun for fans.
I don't even think it's about maximizing value. He's not the only player in the NBA Draft and in the transfer portal. It feels like a loophole to get an absolutely last minute bailout on a Draft bust while maintaining college eligibility.

He may still go to another team, but I don't think it's as nefarious as some want to make it out to be.
 
#148      

drsmitty74

Rochester
This NIL thing is brand new. Why immediately put your name in the portal? Why not return to Illinois? He’ll have the same amount of exposure as he would anywhere else. He’d be the face of the team this year AND the B1G. The amount of endorsements he’d get around the Illinois area would be bananas! Anywhere else he’s just another guy. At Illinois he’d literally be treated like royalty.
you guys have to understand, NLI is not just going to be local businesses. If he's in the portal, it gets him even more national exposure. That follows him when he comes back to the beloved ;)
 
#150      
This NIL thing is brand new. Why immediately put your name in the portal? Why not return to Illinois? He’ll have the same amount of exposure as he would anywhere else. He’d be the face of the team this year AND the B1G. The amount of endorsements he’d get around the Illinois area would be bananas! Anywhere else he’s just another guy. At Illinois he’d literally be treated like royalty.
People love this, "At other schools he's just another guy. At my school, he's the guy". This is not accurate at all. Kofi will be the guy anywhere he goes.

Also people swore Adam Miller would be "the guy" here and I saw so many fans turn on him early on when he was in Curbelo's shadow... Just saying

Now in regards to exposure, I can't comment on that. But who's to say there aren't endorsement offers being put on the table elsewhere right now? It's one thing to talk about theoretical offers in Champaign, but if you're getting a good offer right now... why wouldn't you? Also this might be a good opportunity for him to see the endorsement offers everywhere. Just a thought.
 
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