2022 NBA Draft: Kofi Cockburn insists he'll have impact at next level May 25 2022 7:58AM PST In the only two seasons he played after winning Big Ten Rookie of the Year at the University of Illinois, Kofi Cockburn was a two-time consensus All-American. With James Wiseman coming off an injury, Kevon Looneys contract expiring, and Draymond Green not getting any younger, the Warriors will need a backup big. section: | slug: kofi-cockburn-declares-for-2022-nba-draft-illinois-star-big-man-forgoing-remaining-eligibility-to-enter-pros | sport: collegebasketball | route: article_single.us | Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. NBA players with a similar height and wingspan include, Nikola Vucevic, Damian Jones, Karl-Anthony Towns, Alex Len, Evan Mobley, Steven Adams, and Ivica Zubac. Hes a limited offensive player in terms of his ability to stretch out and hit the 3 but hes a productive and effective post player who does a great job of taking it hard to the rim. Kofi Cockburn is one of the most physically imposing players in the sport standing 7-feet tall and weighing almost 300 pounds and made the most of it as a junior at Illinois on the way to All-American honors. Cockburn tested the NBA draft waters in 2020 . This makes life difficult for the point of attack defender. And who knows? His ability to finish well-placed lobs and make an impact on the glass played a role in that, as did the improvement of his left hand. THIS MONTH. Yet with a beaming smile and seemingly boundless joy, Cockburn countered with unwavering commitment. While Kofi may not be able to fill all of it, he certainly could fill a portion of it. PER. Its not like players of his size or weight arent playing in the NBA. Gambling Problem? Hard doubling the ball handler, showing a double but then getting back to the roller to slow down the ball handler, playing up near the screen to try to slow down the ball handler as they turn the corner to name a few, or as Kofi must do, drop coverage. No team is going to put me as their star player. Exactly zero mock drafts have Kofi getting picked. Should Cockburn achieve his dream, he most likely will have to follow a similar path to Dosunmu, a second-round pick last year who proved the entire league wrong by crafting a rookie season so encouraging he earned an NBA All-Rookie Second-Team selection. Kofi Cockburn starred at Illinois, earning two All-American nods with the Fighting Illini. Cockburn to Chicago might be too good to be true, but the fit is there. MORE. Former Illinois basketball great Kofi Cockburn is going to get his shot at the NBA Draft. Off Win Shares. Having a bounce back year at the foul line, Cockburn has more to gain from improving as a free throw shooter than most as his size makes him a magnet for fouls. Illini fans will remember Nnanna Egwu and his subpar hands and catching ability. I can adapt to whatever environment you put me into., Former University of Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn on his experience at the NBA Draft Combine. Cockburns size is a factor around the rim defensively even if he does not block a lot of shots. Kofi Cockburn - C - Illinois - NBA Draft Profile and Stats. The Mardini sisters story is shared in Netflixs The Swimmers, Kofi Cockburn agrees to professional contract with Japanese basketball club Niigata Albirex BB, Campus Raising Canes sets late Feb. open date, Orkin labels Champaign 11th-worst Bed Bug City in nation, Notes, player grades from Illinois mens basketballs electric comeback against No. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Illinois star big man Kofi Cockburn, a two-time consensus All-American with the Fighting Illini, announced Wednesday he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and is entering the 2022 NBA Draft. By James Kim, Assistant Sports Editor June 23, 2022. The King of Champaign came, saw and certainly conquered. Kofi Cockburn starred at Illinois, earning two All-American nods with the Fighting Illini. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images), May 20, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Kofi Cockburn (88) participates in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Were going to take a look at the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and provide a player comparison for how we see them developing at the next level. Its a whole different ballgame. STAT STRENGTHS. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. So much for all those mock drafts. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports. Ill definitely contribute, whether thats rebounding, giving you extra possessions, setting good screens, rolling, stuff that I do at a high level. Going through the draft process a second time in 2021, he showed well at the G League Elite Camp but returned to school anyway facing steep expectations as one of the top returning players in the country. While not hearing his name called last night was disappointing, it likely gives Cockburn a healthy chip on his shoulder as he heads off to training in Utah. The 7-footer is not projected to be selected by most mock drafts, but he was among the standouts at the draft combine, averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds in two scrimmage games. Cockburn has improved his footwork, utilizes the drop step well, and has nice touch around the rim for a big man. I have met him several times and he was a top notch person. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. While it is unlikely that Kofi Cockburn hears his name called this . Like all of these teams, Cockburn would be in a developmental or backup role, but he could have the potential to thrive down the line in San Antonio. Using his frame and length well, hes an effective area rebounder and puts a body on opposing big men inside. 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Kofi Cockburn's return to the Illinois basketball lineup turned the tide in a good way for their quest for a conference crown as has Trent Frazier's return after testing the NBA Draft. He doesnt have much passing or dribbling skill and he cant shoot. Sharing your Mock Draft is simple. Illinois junior Kofi Cockburn will enter the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility. And Im coachable. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Ranking among the most productive back to the basket scorers in the country and facing as many double teams as nearly any player over the last decade, the massive big man imposed his will on opposing centers down low. Kofi was 5/15 from the field vs Koloko and 3/9 vs Edey. Get ready for March Madness by adding to your All Rights Reserved. He recently entered his name into the NBA draft and will be one of the most unique players on the board. He recently entered his name into the NBA draft and will be one of the most unique players on the board. Here's a look at Illinois C Kofi Cockburn. Having a bounce back year at the foul line, Cockburn has more to gain from improving as a free throw shooter than most as his size makes him a magnet for fouls. With that in mind, we give you the best bet options for a big Saturday slate. Passing? I realize there are a lot of players who do workouts, but having five teams interested in the big man means they are eyeing him. But even those mock drafts that go the full 1-58 this season (remember the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls had to forfeit a second-round pick) don't include former Illinois center Kofi Cockburn . 4 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 1. (((per cleaningtheglass.com))). 1. Follow Darnell on Twitter @DarnellMayberry. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Still, despite stardom in college, how high he goes in the draft -- if at all -- is a separate question entirely. Hes playing at an elite level in his second season and is looking more and more like a first round pick. You'll find a full breakdown of what players are deciding. He was the only Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds and was the only player to rank in the top 20 in each category. Im always betting on myself, he said. Its going to be difficult for him having to defend in space in the NBA against better talent. With a month remaining in the 2021-22 NBA season, most teams in the league are focused on the present, at least to some degree. That means committing to a role of doing the dirty work, something hes showcased at this weeks combine scrimmages. Going into last nights draft, most draft analysts and mock drafts had Cockburn going undrafted. He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. Hes got good feet for his size but doesnt project as a very switchable big and will struggle to contain wings and guards at the next level. How much can Kofi Cockburn do when we ramp up the difficulty? However, there are many centers in the league who cant shoot. NBA players with a similar height and wingspan include, Nikola Vucevic, Damian Jones, Karl-Anthony Towns, Alex Len, Evan Mobley, Steven Adams, and Ivica Zubac. For a handful of teams at the bottom of the standings, however,. If he can take his athleticism up one more notch, watch out! Win Shares. Kofi Cockburn declares for 2022 NBA Draft: Illinois star big man forgoing remaining eligibility to enter pros Cockburn is putting two toes into his pursuit of a professional career. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | In putting the NBA on hold last year, Cockburn was considered one of college basketball's most dominant returning bigs and established himself as exactly that. He looks like the kid who hit puberty early and dominates his classmates because they are all smaller than him. The center averaged 13.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in his freshman season, 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds in his sophomore season and 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds in his junior season. In addition to Cockburn, the Hawks also worked out Northern Iowa guard AJ Green, St. Josephs guard Jordan Hall, UConn guard Tyrese Martin, Creighton commit Baylor Scheierman and Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams on Monday. 21 Northwestern. Cockburn averaged 17.2 points and 9.6 rebounds during his three years with the Illini, helped the program make two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and won both a Big Ten Tournament and a Big Ten regular season title. If he plays and develops in the G League, its possible he finds his way into the NBA and plays rotation back up big minutes in the regular season for a few seasons, but the upside for Kofi Cockburn in the NBA isnt there. It has recently hosted several prospects for workouts ahead of the draft combine, including LSU forward Tari Eason and Villanova guard Collin Gillespie.