We're still six months away from the 2022 NBA draft, but a new player has entered the conversation for the No. Mid range shooting? Cockburn, a 7-foot center, declared for the draft after his junior season at Illinois. How can a basketball player dominate the competition in college, but is no where to be seen on NBA mock drafts? "To play in the NBA has been a longtime dream of mine and I truly think it's time for me to take that next step," he said on Twitter. 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Eligibility restrictions apply. There is room in the league for players that can dominate around the rim. Cockburn has improved his footwork, utilizes the drop step well, and has nice touch around the rim for a big man. Cockburn came to Illinois as a four-star recruit and continued to improve each year. Note that there are now 58 selections in this draft due to Milwaukee and Miami forfeiting their second-round picks.. Its always obstacles, Cockburn said. He could also stand to improve his shot blocking as he averaged just 1.2 per game throughout his entire career at Illinois. 21 Northwestern. This can work in college with less talented ball handlers and mid range shooters, but opposing offenses will light Kofi up in the NBA. 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. pic.twitter.com/yGmCisdwj5, Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 20, 2022. There are certain matchup problems with his lack of mobility defending ball screens. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports. We break down Illinois C Kofi Cockburn with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Cockburn is ready for his turn. Its also important, Cockburn said, for him to show his personality, his infectious ear-to-ear smile, his unwavering positivity and his penchant for taking charge. Looking at the numbers per Synergy, 66th percentile in defending post ups and 78th percentile in defending the roll man in pick and rolls. Kofi Cockburn has not shown the mobility to play an aggressive or even versatile pick and roll defense. Declaring for and withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, Cockburn showed growth in his second year in Champaign. Ill definitely contribute, whether thats rebounding, giving you extra possessions, setting good screens, rolling, stuff that I do at a high level. Looking a little more spry as his frame improved away from the rim, Cockburn nonetheless remains dramatically more comfortable guarding inside than chasing opposing big men outside of the paint. Electing to return as a junior this past season, he put up career numbers by averaging 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds a game and helped the Fighting Illini claim the co-regular season championship in the Big Ten. Every matchup from now on will be big as teams look to lock up their spots and seeding for the Mar While the Illini fan base was understandably sad to see him depart, Cockburn was able to leave Champaign as a Big Ten champion. (((per cleaningtheglass.com))). With Jalen Brunson or Luka Doncic absolutely taking over these playoffs its safe to say this offseason the Mavericks need to find a true big man to help even out the misbalance they have on the team. For a handful of teams at the bottom of the standings, however,. Former Illinois basketball great Kofi Cockburn is going to get his shot at the NBA Draft. 2022 NBA Draft scouting report for Illinois C Kofi Cockburn, Tennessee Tech forces OT in OVC championship game [VIDEO]. 2022 NBA Draft Board By MIP Scouting Dec 8, 2021 Our 2022 NBA Draft Board is updated monthly, check back to see where your favorite prospect ranks! This is why I think his development may be better in the G League than in college. Tacko is 76. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Kofi is one dimensional on offense. So he just said, Show that stuff because that carries over just as much as anything else.. . Cockburn fits the mold of an old-school, back-to-the-basket big man. Please play responsibly. Allowing. The Pacers have been rumored to be shipping off Myles Turner this offseason leaving them with a sizeable role to fill. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The Houston Rockets win the NBA Draft Lottery and sent the order in our first 2022 NBA Mock Draft. While he does not fit extremely well in todays NBA, he could still be useful as a high-energy piece who will throw down thunderous dunks and use his massive body to back down any defender. He is not ranked in the CBS Sports Top 60 Big Board for the 2022 NBA Draft. With Greg Popovich seemingly staying another year, who better to help Kofi Cockburn utilize his skills than the man who coached Tim Duncan. Banchero exploded for 16 points alone in the third quarter to lead the Magic to a win over the Hornets. The first prediction I have for the Illinois basketball team is Kofi Cockburn getting selected in the NBA Draft. Kofi Cockburn was one of the best in college basketball a backdown bruiser who won pretty much any [], Top five fits for Kofi Cockburn in the 2022 NBA Draft, CBB Review Courtside Jaz Shelley (Season 3, Episode 1), 2023 Big Sky Tournament Preview & Conference Awards, 2023 America East Tournament Preview & Conference Awards, 2023 Summit League Tournament Preview & Conference Awards, 2023 SoCon Tournament Preview & Conference Awards. In addition to his adaptability, he cited his motor as the trait he hopes NBA scouts and decision-makers see. He doesnt have much passing or dribbling skill and he cant shoot. Cockburn, like all college and international basketball players, has until end of day on April 24 to declare for the 2022 NBA draft. Overall, there was little doubt that the All-American would one day grace the courts of the NBA. He should have stayed in school, the executive told The Athletic. This time, however, there's no turning back. Sharing Your Mock Draft. He was the only Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Many are the rim protector / rim runner types. View all posts by Hoop Informatics, https://craftednba.com/player-traits/length. Age: 18, Freshman. He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. May 20, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Kofi Cockburn (88) participates in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. What Im watching for in Kofi is improvement in defensive mobility and then on offense its whats his second skill going to be. At one point, there were a couple of mock drafts that had him going late in the second round, but the most updated ones have Kofi nowhere in sight. You'll find a full breakdown of what players are deciding. Passing? The concern is there. Odds and lines subject to change. 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. 2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Predicting all 58 picks, starting off . -- players who were worthy of being selected but who unfortunately were not. Cockburn, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and one blocked shot in 28 games. Exactly zero mock drafts have Kofi getting picked. 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. But hes projected to be selected in the second round at best, with multiple mock drafts not forecasting him to be picked at all. The All-American has dominated the paint in college basketball season after season, and the Jazz will be getting an absolute force of a player. Allowing 0.79 points per post up possession [59th percentile], very few big men could move him off of spots on the low block. Cockburn needs a chance. The problem for Kofi is hes effective at what he does, why would Illinois mess with that by playing him in a way that may hinder team success. If I go back to school, thats one more year of delaying my improvement to the next level. PER. (((I utilized https://craftednba.com/player-traits/length for this information))), As far as weight, only Tacko Fall at 311 pounds would weigh more than Kofi in the NBA. How much can he improve his stock in the college game with the difficulty set to easy? Cockburn is the fifth of the Illini's top seven scorers from last year set to either transfer, graduate or go pro, joining the likes of Andre Curbelo and Alfonso Plummer. Illini fans will remember Nnanna Egwu and his subpar hands and catching ability. He measured at 70, 293 lbs. Stats are Per 36 by default and graded based on position. 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. Many of the players who were undrafted are only surprises because the scouting community was high on them and by extension expected they would be taken with a Round 1 or Round 2 pick. One of the teams that worked out Kofi was the Washington Wizards. 31. . [59th percentile], very few big men could move him off of spots on the low block. Cockburn seems to be embarking on his professional career with the proper attitude one that former college stars could struggle with when jumping to the NBA. Roll the ball into the post and Kofi will grab it. He has good hands. With the NBA draft less than a week away, ESPN writer Jonathan Givony released one of his final 2022 NBA mock drafts, which projects Jonathan Davis to go in the top 10 picks. I want to give Kofi credit here. (LogOut/ Look for him to rise up draft boards. Coach Brad Underwood and staff have seemingly prepared as well as possible, though, with a current top-10 incoming recruiting class led by five-star guard Skyy Clark and four-star recruits Ty Rodgers, Jayden Epps and Sencire Harris. Cockburn worked out with five NBA teams (one of which being the Utah Jazz) and participated at the NBA Draft Combine prior to last night. The problem I see for Kofi Cockburn is I dont think he is overly athletic compared to most around the rim centers and that hurts his draft stock. Fifty-eight players will now begin the next chapter in their respective professional careers. His interior defense is a big part of his appeal and his rebounding will certainly translate well. There are a couple of reasons why I think Kofi could potentially get picked in the NBA Draft. He just wants to land with a team that wants him and one he can help. It's really not that complicated: The crux of the problem for the Hawkeyes was that Kofi Cockburn was in the building. Jalen Williams - Santa Clara 6'6" 190 SF jr. 43. Advanced Per 36 Min Per Game. Sharing your Mock Draft is simple. 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. In declaring again this year, Cockburn chose to forgo his remaining college eligibility and go all in on the NBA. Rebounds. Always liked Bruce as a coach and as a man. The 7-foot, 285-pound junior center grabbed 18 boards the most by an Illini player in a non-overtime game in 25 seasons to go with his 17 points. The help defenders are more athletic. Averaging 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds over 30.7 minutes per game as a junior despite facing constant double teams, the 22-year-old big man earned Consensus All-American first-team honors as he carried the Illini much of the season. Right now hes playing a video game on rookie or novice and things come easy to him, but when we up the game difficulty to all-star, does he have the type of game that will translate? To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Seabron's lack of shooting has kept NBA draft buzz from building. Pos Body Fat% Hand Length (Inches) Hand Width (Inches) Heaight W/o shoes Height W/ Shoes Standing Reach Weight (Lbs) Wingspan . 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 | Rudy Gobert, Dwight Howard, Clint Capela, DeAndre Jordan, Daniel Gafford all take over 80% of their shots within four feet of the rim. Cockburn, a 7-foot center, declared for the draft after his junior season at Illinois. Whether due to injuries or due to guard dominance we have not seen a big man take over in Dallas. 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. Doing a nice job moving bodies before the catch and operating quickly once he got the ball, Cockburn showed the ability to make hooks over both shoulders and use drop steps to initiate contact, but did a lot of scoring off the way he could seal defenders out of plays. There are many different ball screen coverages for a center. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). The All-American will be given a chance to prove himself to the NBA this summer with the Jazz reportedly offering the former Illinois big an Exhibit 10 contract. James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned' Ja Morant Accused Of Threatening, Violent Behavior In Multiple Off-Court Incidents 1. Get ready for March Madness by adding to your That is where I expect Kofi to be selected. Kofi Cockburn - C - Illinois - NBA Draft Profile and Stats. 2022 NBA Draft Combine Measurements By: Aran_Smith . Williams leads the rookie class in steals this season and is 15th among all players in the NBA in that category. 1:46 pm ET. I have a killer mindset. E.J. 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. While it is unlikely that Kofi Cockburn hears his name called this . Through other aspects of the game, however, Cockburn thinks he can be a contributor. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The draft sequence was created using the standings entering Monday, Jan. 10. Auburn's . Both NBA prospects in the 71, 230lb Christian Koloko and the 74, 285lb Zach Edey. 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. You can put me in whatever situation, Cockburn said. Now that the 2022 NBA Draft Combine is in the rearview mirror, teams around the league can make some final conclusions about each prospect. 2022.12.24 22:28 Gigastorm55 The Fandom Wiki gives very interesting informations about the game. His take on the FBI thing is dead. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Full schedule, bracket for 2023 Big East Tournament, Full schedule, bracket for 2023 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, Full list of every automatic bid into 2023 NCAA Tournament, Full schedule, bracket for 2023 SEC Tournament. Measured standing 70 in shoes with a powerfully built 293-pound frame and a 74.25 wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, Cockburn is one of the largest players in the sport even after shedding some weight over his three collegiate seasons. That gives me kind of a relief. 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0: Ranking the top 101 prospects before March Madness . In todays era, Cockburn must show he can guard smaller players against switches in pick-and-roll action, while his floor-spacing ability is a real concern. Kofi Cockburn - C - Illinois - NBA Draft Profile and Stats. RESET. He was the only player in the sport to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he led the Illini -- a team that suffered through fits and starts throughout the year -- to a No. Throw him the ball and its like hes Clifford Franklin of the movie The Replacements with stick-em on his hands. Doing a nice job moving bodies before the catch and operating quickly once he got the ball, Cockburn showed the ability to make hooks over both shoulders and use drop steps to initiate contact, but did a lot of scoring off the way he could seal defenders out of plays. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. For this . He had his best game on Friday with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Try a week on us. Cockburns legacy at Illinois will never be disputed. . He is not the most nimble big man, but has rare strength and a strong motor. Look at opposing starting centers hes faced. Please check your email for a confirmation. Liddell and Duane Washington will have the opportunity to impress scouts at the NBA G League Elite Camp this weekend. Participant List - 05/11/2022; 2022 NBA Draft: Early Entry List / Draft Ranges - 04/13/2022; By The Ringer Staff Jun 24, 2022, 2:28am EDT. What that means to me is that Kofi is a bubble player when it comes to getting selected. Kofi Cockburn: C: 8.20%: 9.75: I think that if I leave (school) now I put myself in a great position to be successful for a longer time and be able to get a head start. Lacking a degree of lift, Cockburn nonetheless showed some ability to protect the rim when the action came to him. NBA. NBA 2022 Draft Prospects | Kofi Cockburn | NBA.com 2022 NBA Draft Home Draft Board Prospects Teams All Picks: 1-58 Trade Tracker News Video @NBADraft More Full Draft Board 1. 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. The Pacers are a young team and with them being rumored to be going after guards in free agency, its almost fitting that they draft a backup center to hold down that fort for the time being. Kofi Cockburn was a star for the University of Illinois from 2019 to 2022. While that would help, being able to shoot is better than not being able to shoot. Kofi was 5/15 from the field vs Koloko and 3/9 vs Edey. 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. Establishing deep position, operating decisively off seals or drop steps, and drawing fouls in bunches he finished the year ranked among the most efficient volume scorers in the country. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. NBA Draft 2022. Cockburn would be a perfect fit for the Warriors to run a four out, one in offense. Looking to put defenders in the rim with room to gather and catching some lobs, his weight loss afforded him some additional lift as a junior. I figure if these guys are going to shoot, Im going to rebound, he said. AT&T Deals. It always seemed like a question of when, and what his journey to the top would look like. How much of Kofi Cockburns dominance is the fact that not many NCAA rosters have the height or weight to contain a specimen like Kofi Cockburn. NBA rules allow for a player to test the draft only twice while still returning; a third time is the point of no return. 4 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The positive for Illini fans is, you may get him back for a senior season. Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! He is a SLEEPER! Carrying a heavy shot creating burden when he was on the floor, Cockburn was the focal point of the Illini offense. And given the way the game at the NBA level has changed, defending in space may be a real threat to his pro prospects and others of his ilk who play a more traditional back-to-the-basket game as a big. section: | slug: top-prospects-not-selected-in-2022-nba-draft-scotty-pippen-jr-kofi-cockburn-among-notable-snubs | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Apr 20, 2022 Two-time All-American Kofi Cockburn will leave Illinois after three seasons to enter the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced on social media on Wednesday. He attempted only one 3-pointer throughout his three seasons in college. College Basketball is getting into its stretch run of the regular season. 1 pick in next month's. Players with a similar height and weight as Kofi include Jusuf Nurkic 290lb, Nikola Jokic 284lb, Brook and Robin Lopez 281lb, Joel Embiid 280lb, and Andre Drummond 279lb. (LogOut/ There is a chance he could get a 2-way contact. SPORTS. Months of preparation that included the NBA Draft Combine and multiple pre-draft workouts with teams such as the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, and. Cockburn to Chicago might be too good to be true, but the fit is there. Overall hes not the most natural fit in todays NBA but hes such a powerful presence on the floor that hell find a way to make his mark. Kofi is a massive center with the brute force of an offensive lineman. No team is going to put me as their star player. He knows what kind of guy I am, Cockburn said of Dosunmu. His weaknesses fit the bill of an old-school big man as he doesnt have much of a shooting range outside of the low post. Kofi Cockburn - Illinois 7'0" 293 C jr. 13. The on ball defender has more length, more strength. Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn declared for the NBA draft Wednesday morning, giving the Chicago Bulls another option on their big board. 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. C | Metropolitans 92. Cockburn, a dominant 7-footer, was one of only four players in college hoops last season to average a double-double in points and rebounds, with 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. 1. May 23, 2022 5:47 pm ET Former Illinois center Kofi Cockburn was among the draft-eligible prospects to work out with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, the team announced. Another reason I believe there is potential for Kofi to get picked is that he had five NBA teams bring him in for a workout. 4 ranked prospect in his class but . Cockburn tested the NBA draft waters in 2020 . And it was a miss. The rule does not apply in the NCAA where Kofi can sit in the paint for the full defensive possession if he chooses to. He looks like the kid who hit puberty early and dominates his classmates because they are all smaller than him. First Round : Second Round : 1. Im always betting on myself, he said. 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. 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. They have pick No. But in the NBA, there wont always be the short and light defenders. A ferocious rebounder who looks to tear the rim off the backboard any chance he gets as a finisher, Cockburn scored a terrific 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [89th percentile]. Maybe more so a dream for Illini Fans, but the pair of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn would be an excellent source of advertising for the Bulls. Even if he can be average at the rim in the NBA, how much value does that provide with his lack of other offensive abilities? The Golden Eagles hit a two-pointer with 10 seconds left to send the game to overtime against Southern Missouri State. Mock Drafts. 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 | I know, I know, there are going to be people who read this first line and think that I am crazy. The 2022 NBA Draft order has been set and the list of eligible players is officially locked in. For me to go back to college knowing Im ready right now, that would be putting a price on my dreams., (Photo of Kofi Cockburn: Kamil Krzaczynski / NBAE via Getty Images). He establishes position well and throws his weight around in the paint. The Bulls need size. Sign up for the The Rookie Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. NEWS. Using his frame and length well, hes an effective area rebounder and puts a body on opposing big men inside. If he were to turn pro, I dont think he would be drafted. Despite most, if not all, NBA mock drafts having Kofi not getting selected in the first or. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at Copy the URL of this page to share your draft: /nba/draft/draft_simulator/view . 2022 marks the third time the big man had declared for the NBA Draft, as hed chosen to return to Illinois the previous two times. However, how much of his offensive dominance is his sheer massive size relative to the competition? Kofi is an old school big man who acts as an enforcer inside. . By Nick Simon @Nick_JSimon Jun 17, 2022, 3:35am PDT David Banks-USA TODAY Sports The 2022 NBA Draft order has been set and the list of eligible players is officially locked in. 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. Darnell Mayberry is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bulls. He looks like a senior in high school playing against freshmen. Cockburn, who was a. Think of the Miami Heat dribble handoff game getting three point shooters wide open looks with Kofi by the rim. He signed a one-year deal with the Niigata Albirex BB in the . DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. If he could pass out of the short roll(((a short roll is when there is a pick and roll but the roll man doesnt do a full roll to the basket. Determining the NBA Draft Order. So much for all those mock drafts. Kofi Cockburn (Illinois: Big, Junior, 7-0) . Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Off Win Shares. HOME. Massive center who had a stellar season at the collegiate level imposing his will on the interior and cleaning the glass. Its not like players of his size or weight arent playing in the NBA. Heres a look at Illinois C Kofi Cockburn. With that being said, there are a few names to keep an eye on for the draft and for after the draft when teams are looking to get a good deal. Victor Wembanyama. I think thats one of my obstacles, proving people wrong. THIS MONTH. weird laws in guatemala; les vraies raisons de la guerre en irak; lake norman waterfront condos for sale by owner Chet Holmgren - Gonzaga 7'0" 195 C frosh. While a good portion of it can be due to his size and strength, if we created an exact human clone of Kofi and put him in a basketball game with no prior knowledge of basketball, that clone would not perform well. So why cant Kofi be dominant in the NBA. New Samsung. Kofi Cockburn does dominate in the paint in college. Final deadline. Baylor transfer Dain Dainja should help with frontcourt depth for next season as well, and Cockburn's official departure may give Underwood and his staff the green light to go after bigs in the transfer portal. Kofi Cockburn entered his name in the draft for 2021 and participated in the G League Elite Camp measuring 611, 298 pounds, 7.2% body fat, 93 standing reach and 74 wingspan. [] last few years of Illinois basketball have been controlled by a dominant center. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 18: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots a three point basket against the Chattanooga Mocs during the second half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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. But not everyone had the pleasure of hearing their names called. He makes the money sound like an afterthought. 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. It is improbable as all of the mock drafts are leaving Illinois off the board. At the bare minimum, Cockburn could be a developmental center that eventually will be in charge of handling all of the paint and rebounding duties. These teams should give a look at Kofi Cockburn in the 2022 NBA Draft.