I've been wearing my Dawson Degroot gear from players trunk this week too. Started wearing it for AL's commitment day and haven't taken it off.
Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal
- Status
Today's the day
I haven't been paying attention to this daily so sorry if this is a stupid question, but if OA told Kofi to stay at ILL and Illinois "was always the destination", then why did he enter the portal?
Build up hype/buzz for NIL opportunities. Which was apparently successful, as ESPN and now it looks like SI have both published articles focused on him. Great pub.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
National media coverage, which may translate to greater NIL opportunities is my guess. Ensuring that he remains the focus of the Illini offense is another possible motivation.
sacraig
- The desert
I'm not sure if it was always Illinois. I think there might have been a lean to Illinois, but if you have the opportunity to re-evaluate everything then why not take the opportunity to do so? I think whatever way he chooses, it's a smart way to always conduct yourself and evaluate your opportunities even if the choice may be more obvious.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I've considered going to new jobs where my former co-workers are because I've missed working with them. Things like money, location, and seniority have stopped me from taking the plunge, but I've gone on the interviews and gave it serious consideration.
I'd say this is the same. He likely wanted to work with OA because he trusts him as a fellow New York/Caribbean guy, but always knew Illinois was the better fit in the long run. He might have felt the need to go through the process, and I can respect that.
Also can't discount the buzz this has brought to his brand (we're all ready to drop hella money on him for staying) and the team.
To be honest, I think we severely overestimate the amount of scheming goes into decisions. It's a great narrative to think someone had a master plan, but I think Kofi intended to transfer or at least see his options. Kentucky was a destination he legitimately considered. And either it didn't pan out or he came to the decision that Illinois was the better choice for him. All this buzz certainly helps for NIL, but I really don't believe Kofi entered the portal just to generate NIL buzz. If he did? Kudos to him. Genius marketer.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
$$$ baby, and I can't say I blame him. Would he have gotten the attention he has with the decision to go in the portal if he just said I'm coming back in the beginning? He's gotten national media attention with his decision and I think it was smart move on his part. I get that as a POY candidate, he would have gotten his fair share of media attention, but not preseason like he is now.
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I don’t think it came from Kofi. There is some buzz that his camp was pushing for him the enter the portal.
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I tend to agree. I don't think he was expecting the NBA feedback he received. The deadline to enter the portal was right around the time he received that feedback. He had a big decision to make and virtually no time to make it. His NBA dream was deferred for another year. That's probably a bit emotional. (Especially for an All-American) Entering the portal gave him time to consider all aspects of his next destination, and clear his head.
Who knows to what degree he was an Illini lean during the process? I don't really care, as long as he ends up back with BU and the boys.
Deleted member 8896
D
Guest
New York handlers pushed for it.
Has anyone ever seen them both in the same room at the same time?
Ummm... no, I’m definitely not saying that. Carry on...
Bad day to be a beer
3 point girl
- texas
Hearing 6pm decision time
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Great day to be a beer drinker though
Oh great, here we go. 8 hours until announcement and handlers are getting involved.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
The earlier post about handlers was regarding why he entered the portal, not today.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
- Status