Massive center who had a stellar season at the collegiate level imposing his will on the interior and cleaning the glass. E.J. If he could defend ball screens and score around the rim, thats an NBA player. 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. So much for all those mock drafts. Koloko is one of the best defensive centers playing college basketball. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Cockburns size is a factor around the rim defensively even if he does not block a lot of shots. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. While Kofi may not be able to fill all of it, he certainly could fill a portion of it. Kevin Duckworth+ : 67 Karlo Matkovic: PF - Bosnia - HT: 6 . The on ball defender has more length, more strength. -- players who were worthy of being selected but who unfortunately were not. Why Illinois' Kofi Cockburn turned down an NIL payday to realize his 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 . 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. Cockburn's only a projected late second-round pick by most draft experts, but . The 2022 NBA Draft order has been set and the list of eligible players is officially locked in. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paolo Banchero, Duke. Odds and lines subject to change. Top prospects not selected in 2022 NBA Draft: Scotty Pippen Jr., Kofi Cockburn among notable snubs There were some well-known names that were not called during Thursday's NBA Draft By. Declaring for and withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, Cockburn showed growth in his second year in Champaign. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Rudy Gobert, Dwight Howard, Clint Capela, DeAndre Jordan, Daniel Gafford all take over 80% of their shots within four feet of the rim. 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. Cockburn said Dosunmu suggested he show his athleticism, speed and vertical, things scouts weigh heavily. 2022 2nd Round - NBA Draft Room 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. One of the teams that worked out Kofi was the Washington Wizards. Cockburn, who was a. You'll find a full breakdown of what players are deciding. 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. 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. The center is the most important defensive position as they are the most involved with ball screen actions and protecting the rim. Seabron's lack of shooting has kept NBA draft buzz from building. 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 . Illinois junior Kofi Cockburn on Wednesday announced he will hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.. Cockburn, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and one blocked shot in 28 games. section: | slug: top-prospects-not-selected-in-2022-nba-draft-scotty-pippen-jr-kofi-cockburn-among-notable-snubs | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | May 20, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Kofi Cockburn (88) participates in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Through other aspects of the game, however, Cockburn thinks he can be a contributor. 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. The King of Champaign came, saw and certainly conquered. However, there are many centers in the league who cant shoot. Sharing Your Mock Draft. MLB. The Spurs are an interesting case in the sense that Jakob Poeltl had a solid season, but they need to lay a foundation for their future. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 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. Kofi is a massive center with the brute force of an offensive lineman. Top prospects not selected in 2022 NBA Draft: Scotty Pippen Jr., Kofi . Kofi Cockburn - Illinois 7'0" 293 C jr. 13. I would like to take this time to dive in deeper on why Kofi Cockburn can be the possible best player in college, yet likely not get drafted. Illinois Basketball: Kofi Cockburn drawing interest from 5 teams ahead Oh and there is this thing in the NBA called defensive three-seconds. 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. However, how much of his offensive dominance is his sheer massive size relative to the competition? Im always betting on myself, he said. He doesnt have much passing or dribbling skill and he cant shoot. (((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. 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. Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! 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. 2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Predicting all 58 picks, starting off . 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. There are certain matchup problems with his lack of mobility defending ball screens. Kofi Cockburn to enter NBA draft after three seasons with Illinois 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. 2022 NBA Draft. Player ratings. basketball - Hoop Obsession STAT WEAKNESSES. [89th percentile]. Kofi was 5/15 from the field vs Koloko and 3/9 vs Edey. A defensive player cannot be in the paint for longer than 3 seconds, unless they are actively guarding someone. Kofi Cockburn among draft prospects to work out with Hawks All the nostalgia for Illinoians topped off with the ability of a paint presence which the Bulls currently lack, seems like the perfect fit. NBA. 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0: Ranking the top 101 prospects before March Madness . He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. 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. Key Dates: 2022 NBA Draft May 17 - NBA Lottery . 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 . Illinois Football: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time, five NBA teams bring him in for a workout. 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. Like I said earlier, I wouldnt put a price on my dream. Player Rankings updated 16 days ago | Draft Order updated after every game. Cockburn said he speaks with Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, a former teammate at Illinois, every day about how to maximize the combine process. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Contact . 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. In addition to his adaptability, he cited his motor as the trait he hopes NBA scouts and decision-makers see. Former Illinois basketball great Kofi Cockburn is going to get his shot at the NBA Draft. He should have stayed in school, the executive told The Athletic. Going into last nights draft, most draft analysts and mock drafts had Cockburn going undrafted. Illinois Basketball: Kofi Cockburn getting his shot to impress NBA scouts SIM LOTTERY. Copy the URL of this page to share your draft: /nba/draft/draft_simulator/view . Try a week on us. His presence on the court can not be missed. They have pick No. The first reason is the fact there are 58 picks in this years draft, and ESPN has Kofi ranked as the No. The Bulls have the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft . Off Win Shares. Off Box +/-Def Rebounds. 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? Show Showing 1 to 33 of 99 entries Previous Next 3,237 total views, 1 views today 2023 NBA Draft Board NBA Pre-Draft Rankings 2023 NBA Draft Board By MIP Scouting The Mavericks truthfully lack a big man. 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. We break down Illinois C Kofi Cockburn with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. 1. NBA Draft - Draft Simulator - RealGM The first prediction I have for the Illinois basketball team is Kofi Cockburn getting selected in the NBA Draft. 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. The roller will stop at the free throw line to become an outlet or safety valve for the ball handler to pass to. Cockburn tested the NBA draft waters in 2020 . AT&T Deals. Kofi Cockburn is Breaking Out - Future150/Brian Flinn: . 4 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 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. MAIL. Win Shares. Think of the Miami Heat dribble handoff game getting three point shooters wide open looks with Kofi by the rim. However, hes been a fun player to watch and four years of Kofi Cockburn at Illinois would be really good for Illinois basketball. This is a ranking (not a 'mock-draft'). If you are a fan of Illinois and Kofi Cockburn, this may be a question you have asked yourself. Cockburn, a 7-foot center, declared for the draft after his junior season at Illinois. "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. He flirted with Florida State and Kentucky before ultimately deciding to return to Champaign . Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Kofi Cockburn declares for 2022 NBA Draft: Illinois star big man He has good hands. 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. It is improbable as all of the mock drafts are leaving Illinois off the board. Full schedule, bracket for 2023 Ivy League Conference Tournament. "I will be putting my name into the 2022 NBA Draft and signing with an agent.". It has recently hosted several prospects for workouts ahead of the draft combine, including LSU forward Tari Eason and Villanova guard Collin Gillespie. It was in his freshman season. The draft sequence was created using the standings entering Monday, Jan. 10. What that means to me is that Kofi is a bubble player when it comes to getting selected. Getty Images/Ringer illustration. We break down Illinois C Kofi Cockburn with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Every year, two of the most interesting takeaways. NBA Draft 2022: 5 Big Ten basketball players improving their draft stock THIS MONTH. Roll the ball into the post and Kofi will grab it. Look for him to rise up draft boards. NBA rules allow for a player to test the draft only twice while still returning; a third time is the point of no return. 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. 1. 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. NFL. 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. He looks like the kid who hit puberty early and dominates his classmates because they are all smaller than him. 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. As an undrafted free agent, this is exactly the type of opportunity Cockburn needed. This is why you NEED to draft Kofi Cockburn! He is a SLEEPER! | 2022 James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned' Ja Morant Accused Of Threatening, Violent Behavior In Multiple Off-Court Incidents 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. He spent 12 years at The Oklahoman, where he handled the Thunder beat before moving into an editors role. Dont worry, its not all Texas teams! 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. late first to mid second round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons. This is the short roll))) or shoot a mid range jumper out of the short roll while scoring around the rim, thats an NBA player. Kofi is one dimensional on offense. Tankathon. He attempted only one 3-pointer throughout his three seasons in college. You can put me in whatever situation, Cockburn said. Both NBA prospects in the 71, 230lb Christian Koloko and the 74, 285lb Zach Edey. Kofi is an old school big man who acts as an enforcer inside. Why Kofi Cockburn was not selected in the 2022 NBA draft? Cap'n Kielar's Best Bets: February 27, 2021 - Prime Time Sports Talk Victor Wembanyama. The normal answer is that the game is played differently nowadays, but this may not suffice for you. Michigan's Juwan Howard seeks elusive win at Illinois 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. 2022 looks like another strong draft class with depth through the second round . 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. Could Chicago Bulls target former Ayo Dosunmu college teammate in NBA How can a basketball player dominate the competition in college, but is no where to be seen on NBA mock drafts? pic.twitter.com/yGmCisdwj5, Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 20, 2022. 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. How much can he improve his stock in the college game with the difficulty set to easy? . 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. With the 2022 NBA Draft officially in the books and all 58 of this year's selections made, there are many -- many! But not everyone had the pleasure of hearing their names called. Cockburn declared for the 2022 NBA draft but went undrafted. 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. Mock Drafts. SPORTS. Using his frame and length well, hes an effective area rebounder and puts a body on opposing big men inside. Here is CBT's full 2020 NBA Draft early entry tracker. In his interview, he gushed at the thought of being reunited with. Darnell Mayberry is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bulls. Niko carr | | Earstboond reference!!!?!??? Kofi Cockburn - NBADraft.net "I'm closing one of the most amazing chapters of my life," Cockburn told ESPN on Wednesday. Determining the NBA Draft Order. Iowa starts a big that is 69 222lb. Many are the rim protector / rim runner types. The Pacers have been rumored to be shipping off Myles Turner this offseason leaving them with a sizeable role to fill. 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]. 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. As hes navigating the NBA circuit this week, Cockburn is going about it selflessly. Kofi Cockburn Stats, News, Bio | ESPN Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports. Mid range shooting? Exactly zero mock drafts have Kofi getting picked. 2023 NBA Mock Draft - Tankathon | 2022 NBA Draft Order & Lottery Simulator Kofi Cockburn - NBA Draft Room NBA Draft 2022. Note that there are now 58 selections in this draft due to Milwaukee and Miami forfeiting their second-round picks.. 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.