Illini_1979
- Oregon
Just for grins and giggles, thought I would create my first ever IL poll...
Poll: Whither Kofi?
- Status
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
If Kofi wants to prepare for the NBA draft, Tim Anderson can help him do that. It might require additional workouts though. Put in the extra work, reap the extra rewards.
I'll fully admit I changed my vote just to be the outcast.
Changed it back.
To leave, or not to leave, that is the question.
I think he goes pro, but will be very happy if he stays at Illinois. I think there's no way he transfers to another school.
IlliniSaluki
- IL metro east burbs of St. Louis
I replied with him staying. I can only see 2 reasons to announce you are having an announcement.
1) Staying put for another year or
2) Declaring for the draft
I can't see a kid announcing an announcement just to then say they are going into the portal for transferring. I do think he comes back in the end because of the money he can get from NIL vs playing in the G League. (I don't think he gets drafted without an outside shot developed)
1) Staying put for another year or
2) Declaring for the draft
I can't see a kid announcing an announcement just to then say they are going into the portal for transferring. I do think he comes back in the end because of the money he can get from NIL vs playing in the G League. (I don't think he gets drafted without an outside shot developed)
Derek Piper said on The Drive that he thinks Kofi is going pro. Interesting.
I don't believe that Kofi has that burning desire to excel, like he would need to. The $ are important to him and his family. If the money is as good as speculated on here, I don't see the motivation needed. Just an outsiders view. HS was easy because of his size and college was not easy, but does not require nearly the time and dedication of the NBA. The NIL changed not only the ultimate goal, but, I believe some players timelines.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I'm guessing someone is in Kofi's ear, telling him to "bet on himself" (a la VanVleet). Suggesting that he knows what he's worth and to not accept any less than that from anyone. Great from a motivational standpoint, not necessarily the best way to go about making decisions.
But it's his life. Hope whatever he decides works out for him.
But it's his life. Hope whatever he decides works out for him.
I lean towards him coming back mainly based on him being home and not working out for the draft combine in less than a month, but maybe he has been working out there? Maybe I'm just hoping, but I will say without NIL money there would be a near zero % chance of him coming back. Now it seems like that is the financially wiser thing to do.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Seems consistent with the late gifs of some insiders.
I cast my vote 
Pro
Well Loren Tate thinks he is gone and clearly hopes it's the right decision but he would not pass one just one but two seasons were he could make roughly $2,000,000. ...he said he wouldn't do it in his shoes nor would I but I hope Kofi is right. I would take the sure thing vs what is likely the G league or Europe. Kofi is comparing himself to Ayo but it's not the same. Ayo dropped in the draft but was expected to be drafted. I hope Kofi is right but my fear for him losing out on something that would literally set him up the rest of his life.
Loren did say he knew for sure last year a few days out he was staying. This year it's just basically a gut call based on what he is hearing
Loren did say he knew for sure last year a few days out he was staying. This year it's just basically a gut call based on what he is hearing
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Kofi will make a lot of money playing basketball next year.
If we assume he can make $1 M in Champaign with friends while completing his degree and racking up more awards vs $1.5 M to go play in Europe where he might not know anybody, but wouldn't have to go to class, would basically be starting his career, and of course there are other perks of Europe.
To me, I'd actually stay in college if I were making 7 digits, and I wasn't going to be making over $2 M elsewhere. Might as well finish your degree, still get rich, and spend another year being king of the campus. Now if he already has his degree, then I'd be gone. I'm not faking grad school when I could just go play for as much or more.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Care to explain where this number came from?
Lol 1.5 million in Europe? You must know something experts do not. If he could earn that then he would be drafted.
the ether.
It's a hypothetical. He's not making the NBA. They're not interested in a big man with a range of 6 ft anymore. If Kofi had any range, he would have shown it. So I just don't see the NBA as an option.
There are guys that make multiple millions in Europe. I saw Shane Larkin is reportedly making $3.7 M. Kofi is more accomplished at his age and much more of an anomaly type player. Granted he doesn't have the pro chops, but to make the hypothetical work, he's got to be getting paid. I thought about saying $1 M either place, but wanted to give the choice more money in the leave column to see if what college basketball offers is worth giving up some cash.
Guys that make millions in Europe are proven entities. The highest paid player in Europe makes $4 million. That's the highest. That's like the Lebron/Giannis of Europe. The average salary in the Euroleague salary is around $500k and that's the pinnacle of European basketball. They don't sign players out of college, they sign proven pros. Shane Larkin has over 250 NBA games under his belt. European teams value that experience. Malcolm Hill was working his way up the Euro leagues for like 5 years, and made it to the NBA before he made it to the top tier leagues. Realistically if Kofi goes to Europe I'd expect him to make in the $100-150k range his first season.
That's what his camp was asking for from NIL
BillyBob1
- Champaign
He can go to UNC and not have to worry.
- Status