[84th percentile] his efficiency on the block was the cornerstone of Illinois half court offense. "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. [] last few years of Illinois basketball have been controlled by a dominant center. northwestern college graduation 2022; elizabeth stack biography. The following big board represents the current consensus outlook for the 2022 NBA Draft. But hes projected to be selected in the second round at best, with multiple mock drafts not forecasting him to be picked at all. Off Box +/-Def Rebounds. Im going to have to find my role, playing defense, talking, bringing positive energy and rebounding.. Its not like players of his size or weight arent playing in the NBA. Jovic skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still needs to take it. Weve seen teams with quality point guards get wide open mid range looks as they come off the screen, lose their defender, and Kofi is far away from the action by the rim. 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. You'll find a full breakdown of what players are deciding. And Im coachable. He came here as a young guy, hadnt played in a high school All-Star game, and leaves here as a two time All-American and one of the most celebrated players in our history, said head coach Brad Underwood just hours after Cockburns commitment to the draft. The draft sequence was created using the standings entering Monday, Jan. 10. 2022 looks like another strong draft class with depth through the second round . Making major progress with his game in the summer before his freshman year, he averaged 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a true freshman under coach Brad Underwood at Illinois. Similar to his earlier mock draft at the beginning of June, Givony projects the AP First-Team All-American to land at No. 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. THIS MONTH. 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. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Carrying a huge burden on the block, Cockburn ranks among the highest volume back to the basket threats at the high-major level in recent history. 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? Rudy Gobert, Dwight Howard, Clint Capela, DeAndre Jordan, Daniel Gafford all take over 80% of their shots within four feet of the rim. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Ill definitely contribute, whether thats rebounding, giving you extra possessions, setting good screens, rolling, stuff that I do at a high level. That is where I expect Kofi to be selected. While that would help, being able to shoot is better than not being able to shoot. 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. Through other aspects of the game, however, Cockburn thinks he can be a contributor. ENTERTAINMENT. MAIL. But not everyone had the pleasure of hearing their names called. Scoring 1.00 points per post up possession [84th percentile] his efficiency on the block was the cornerstone of Illinois half court offense. A very good area rebounder who was nearly unmovable inside, his size is intimidating, but like most players his size, he is much more comfortable guarding on the interior than away from the rim. His defense isnt bad in college. He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. All Rights Reserved. As an undrafted free agent, this is exactly the type of opportunity Cockburn needed. HOME. Mid range shooting? 10 with the Washington Wizards. Both NBA prospects in the 71, 230lb Christian Koloko and the 74, 285lb Zach Edey. Every matchup from now on will be big as teams look to lock up their spots and seeding for the Mar 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. What that means to me is that Kofi is a bubble player when it comes to getting selected. James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned' Ja Morant Accused Of Threatening, Violent Behavior In Multiple Off-Court Incidents Points. I dont think that anything should be able to stop me at any time.. "I'm closing one of the most amazing chapters of my life," Cockburn told ESPN on Wednesday. Odds and lines subject to change. Since Michigan coach Juwan Howard took over at his alma mater in 2019-20, he has beaten every Big Ten team multiple times except the one that represents the Chicago native's home state. Kofi Cockburn does dominate in the paint in college. Kofi Cockburn starred at Illinois, earning two All-American nods with the Fighting Illini. He recently entered his name into the NBA draft and will be one of the most unique players on the board. We havent even gotten to his defense. Highlights: Illinois' Kofi Cockburn Declares for the 2022 NBA Draft | Big Ten In the NBA Draft Watch on Granted, in the second round teams should be taking riskier picks with high. 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. The positive for Illini fans is, you may get him back for a senior season. Like I said earlier, I wouldnt put a price on my dream. Cockburn is a dominant big man who stepped all over the Big Ten for three years. To the surprise of everyone outside of the Magic war room, Orlando took Paolo . Kofi Cockburn dunks through contact Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Most Read Will Barton bought out, Jordan Goodwin to be converted to a standard contract Barton remains eligible to join a team's . He flirted with Florida State and Kentucky before ultimately deciding to return to Champaign . The center is the most important defensive position as they are the most involved with ball screen actions and protecting the rim. 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). SIM LOTTERY. Kevin Duckworth+ : 67 Karlo Matkovic: PF - Bosnia - HT: 6 . Prior to The Oklahoman, Darnell covered the University of Akron men's basketball, preps and recruiting at the Akron Beacon Journal. 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. Its about long-term success, he said. While Kofi may not be able to fill all of it, he certainly could fill a portion of it. Look for him to rise up draft boards. Additionally, Cockburns role in putting Illinois basketball back on the map has already ensured that his jersey will hang from the rafters of State Farm Center. He is a great college player, his game may not translate to the NBA. FINAL - June 23, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Kofi Cockburn - C - Illinois - NBA Draft Profile and Stats. Cockburn said he speaks with Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, a former teammate at Illinois, every day about how to maximize the combine process. 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. 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. -- players who were worthy of being selected but who unfortunately were not. Look at opposing starting centers hes faced. 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. Cockburn tested the NBA draft waters in 2020 . 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. I want to give Kofi credit here. 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. While it is unlikely that Kofi Cockburn hears his name called this . Get ready for March Madness by adding to your Key Dates: 2022 NBA Draft May 17 - NBA Lottery . He attempted only one 3-pointer throughout his three seasons in college. . Cockburn tested the NBA Draft waters each of the past two years and briefly entered the transfer portal last season before returning to Illinois and putting up a career year. 1 overall pick. Carrying a heavy shot creating burden when he was on the floor, Cockburn was the focal point of the Illini offense. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. This post originally appeared onRookie Wire! 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. 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. Jalen Williams - Santa Clara 6'6" 190 SF jr. 43. Following a three-year career at Illinois, center Kofi Cockburn signed his first professional contract with the Utah Jazz early this morning after going undrafted Thursday night. In his interview, he gushed at the thought of being reunited with. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. 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. 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. June 23, 2022. Carrying a huge burden on the block, Cockburn ranks among the highest volume back to the basket threats at the high-major level in recent history. 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. | 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report No views May 27, 2022 0 Dislike Save The Field Of 68 14.1K subscribers Kofi Cockburn. He spent 12 years at The Oklahoman, where he handled the Thunder beat before moving into an editors role. A ferocious rebounder who looks to tear the rim off the backboard any chance he gets as a finisher, Cockburn scored a terrific. 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. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports The NBA Draft is. We break down Illinois C Kofi Cockburn with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. No team is going to put me as their star player. Tacko is 76. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more!I own none of the footage in the video, it is intended for the purposes of critique and education.#koficockburn #. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. [89th percentile]. Ultimately, this is just a checkpoint as they continue to chase their career -- and some, if not all, will have opportunities either on two-way deals or Exhibit 10 deals to showcase their talents for NBA teams. Dont worry, its not all Texas teams! Yet with a beaming smile and seemingly boundless joy, Cockburn countered with unwavering commitment. He could also stand to improve his shot blocking as he averaged just 1.2 per game throughout his entire career at Illinois. SPORTS. 4 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. This is my greatest concern for Kofi Cockburn in the NBA where a center is constantly defending ball screens. The normal answer is that the game is played differently nowadays, but this may not suffice for you. I think something that is commonly said that Kofi needs to improve is his mid range and outside shooting. 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. He's playing at an elite level in his second season and is looking more and more like a first round pick. I would venture to say the odds of an Illini player getting picked are low. The NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and there are some former Illinois basketball players who have their name in the mix. There are a couple of reasons why I think Kofi could potentially get picked in the NBA Draft. He had his best game on Friday with 19 points and 11 rebounds. 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). By James Kim, Assistant Sports Editor June 23, 2022. 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. 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. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. "I will be putting my name into the 2022 NBA Draft and signing with an agent.". Illinois Football: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time, five NBA teams bring him in for a workout. Cockburn, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and one blocked shot in 28 games. 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. Going into last nights draft, most draft analysts and mock drafts had Cockburn going undrafted. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Atlanta enters the pre-draft process with the 16th and 44th picks, respectively. For a handful of teams at the bottom of the standings, however,. He is the author of "100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die." (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. He is a SLEEPER! RESET. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. STAT STRENGTHS. As the first month of 2022 comes to a close, college basketball starts to get really exciting now. Im always betting on myself, he said. PER. Victor Wembanyama. Kofi Cockburn is Breaking Out - Future150/Brian Flinn: . We're 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. He recently entered his name into the NBA draft and will be one of the most unique players on the board. Kofi Cockburn was one of the top prospects available in the 2022 NBA Draft but at the end of the day no team was interested in him during the draft, but the good news is that he signed. A center isnt a pressing need in Chicago, but Nikola Vucevics defensive liability in the paint is noticeable. Age: 18, Freshman. Despite most, if not all, NBA mock drafts having Kofi not getting selected in the first or. Team needs are factored into the mock and simulations. at 2022 NBA Draft Combine Measurements By: Aran_Smith . 31. . Kofi is an old school big man who acts as an enforcer inside. Still, despite stardom in college, how high he goes in the draft -- if at all -- is a separate question entirely. 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0: Ranking the top 101 prospects before March Madness . 4 ranked prospect in his class but . The roller will stop at the free throw line to become an outlet or safety valve for the ball handler to pass to. . Cockburn said Dosunmu suggested he show his athleticism, speed and vertical, things scouts weigh heavily. Final deadline. Massive center who had a stellar season at the collegiate level imposing his will on the interior and cleaning the glass. 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. 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. Cockburns only a projected late second-round pick by most draft experts, but had one of the best careers of anyone to wear the orange and blue. E.J. College Basketball is getting into its stretch run of the regular season. Cockburn would be a perfect fit for the Warriors to run a four out, one in offense. Making the easy play returning the ball back out to the perimeter out of double teams and experimenting a bit with midrange shots, Cockburns skill level evolved a bit over his three seasons in college, but he still does much of his damage in the lane and looks for his shot assertively. How can a basketball player dominate the competition in college, but is no where to be seen on NBA mock drafts?