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 . 2022 NBA Draft Consensus Big Board While it is important to form one's own prospect evaluations, it is a valuable exercise to get a pulse on how the market values prospects that comprise a given draft class. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 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. First Round : Second Round : 1. Cockburn has improved his footwork, utilizes the drop step well, and has nice touch around the rim for a big man. He is the author of "100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die." illinois basketball recruiting 2023 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. 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. There are a couple of reasons why I think Kofi could potentially get picked in the NBA Draft. 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. 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. Thats my dream, and Im willing to chase it regardless.. But a snub is a snub and we must put them on wax to remember those who, despite pre-draft expectations, leave a post-draft world having been excluded from the 58 draft night announcements. That means committing to a role of doing the dirty work, something hes showcased at this weeks combine scrimmages. 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. 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. As an undrafted free agent, this is exactly the type of opportunity Cockburn needed. Cap'n Kielar's Best Bets: February 27, 2021 - Prime Time Sports Talk With Greg Popovich seemingly staying another year, who better to help Kofi Cockburn utilize his skills than the man who coached Tim Duncan. 5 centers the Bulls could consider taking in the 2022 Draft Player Rankings updated 16 days ago | Draft Order updated after every game. He looks like a senior in high school playing against freshmen. 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 | 2022 NBA Draft scouting report for Illinois C Kofi Cockburn, Tennessee Tech forces OT in OVC championship game [VIDEO]. He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. 1 pick in next month's. Every player is better. There is room in the league for players that can dominate around the rim. Cap'n Kielar's Best Bets: Super Tuesday 1/25 Cockburn tested the NBA draft waters in 2020 . Jalen Williams - Santa Clara 6'6" 190 SF jr. 43. PER. Overall, there was little doubt that the All-American would one day grace the courts of the NBA. He averaged 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, both career-highs, along with one blocked shot in 30.7 minutes per game over 28 contests. Illinois star declaring for NBA Draft could be huge for Bulls See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Sharing your Mock Draft is simple. Many are the rim protector / rim runner types. -- players who were worthy of being selected but who unfortunately were not. 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. June 23, 2022. All Rights Reserved. 54 in the NBA Draft. 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. He looks like the kid who hit puberty early and dominates his classmates because they are all smaller than him. How much can he improve his stock in the college game with the difficulty set to easy? That gives me kind of a relief. The concern is there. Kofi Cockburn entered his name in the draft for 2021 and participated in the G League Elite Camp measuring 6'11", 298 pounds, 7.2% body fat, 9'3" standing reach and 7'4" wingspan. Points. Kofi is a massive center with the brute force of an offensive lineman. (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. IstillLikeHarv - 247sports.com 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. Kofi was 5/15 from the field vs Koloko and 3/9 vs Edey. Oh and there is this thing in the NBA called defensive three-seconds. The on ball defender has more length, more strength. Cockburn to Chicago might be too good to be true, but the fit is there. Illinois center Kofi Cockburn is dominating everybody, and it's Declaring for and withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, Cockburn showed growth in his second year in Champaign. Hes playing at an elite level in his second season and is looking more and more like a first round pick. Its always obstacles, Cockburn said. (LogOut/ It has recently hosted several prospects for workouts ahead of the draft combine, including LSU forward Tari Eason and Villanova guard Collin Gillespie. 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. The 2022 NBA Draft is over. A two-time consensus All-American, Cockburn proved to be a major presence in the paint during his three seasons in Champaign. Seabron's lack of shooting has kept NBA draft buzz from building. Cockburn, a 7-foot center, declared for the draft after his junior season at Illinois. . Cockburn declared for the 2022 NBA draft but went undrafted. Victor Wembanyama. Top five fits for Kofi Cockburn in the 2022 NBA Draft - CBB Review [89th percentile]. Carrying a heavy shot creating burden when he was on the floor, Cockburn was the focal point of the Illini offense. It was in his freshman season. Using his frame and length well, hes an effective area rebounder and puts a body on opposing big men inside. I think that Im ready right now to go to the NBA. Kofi is an old school big man who acts as an enforcer inside. 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. 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. submitted by Gigastorm55 to oneshot : 2022.07.18 12:25 . 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. Through other aspects of the game, however, Cockburn thinks he can be a contributor. 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. 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. Cockburn, like all college and international basketball players, has until end of day on April 24 to declare for the 2022 NBA draft. He doesnt have any illusions about his professional arc mirroring his success in college. He is a great college player, his game may not translate to the NBA. We have the brackets, dates, time, matchups, TV channels, live streaming outlets and more for the 2023 Ivy League Conference Tournament here. However, there are many centers in the league who cant shoot. Look at opposing starting centers hes faced. 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. Per shotquality.com hes 97th percentile in offensive rebounding, 96th percentile in defensive rebounding, and 92nd percentile in blocks. It is improbable as all of the mock drafts are leaving Illinois off the board. MAIL. 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. Since being eliminated, Cockburn has embraced possibly entering the draft, though he has two more years of NCAA eligibility. 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. I think something that is commonly said that Kofi needs to improve is his mid range and outside shooting. The center is the most important defensive position as they are the most involved with ball screen actions and protecting the rim. (((per cleaningtheglass.com))). That is where I expect Kofi to be selected. James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned' Ja Morant Accused Of Threatening, Violent Behavior In Multiple Off-Court Incidents But it gives me a relief knowing that, OK, cool, if you got to go get that rebound, you got to make sure that youre doing something to show these guys that you belong on the floor., Going into the league, Ill be a rookie. Contact . 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. "I'm closing one of the most amazing chapters of my life," Cockburn told ESPN on Wednesday. Kofi Cockburn starred at Illinois, earning two All-American nods with the Fighting Illini. NBA. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).