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Report: Illinois center Kofi Cockburn to remain in NBA Draft
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Illinois center Kofi Cockburn will remain in the NBA Draft, according to multiple reports.
This report, from Andrew Slater of ProInsight, was retweeted by Cockburn:
Sources indicate that All-Big Ten Kofi Cockburn @kxng_alpha will not be returning to Illinois. Cockburn, the consensus 2nd-team All-American C, will remain in the 2021 NBA Draft. #Illini 🔸🔹 https://t.co/rQojpqfxki
— 𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 𝒮𝓁𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓇 (@Andrew__Slater) May 27, 2021
College basketball insider Adam Zagoria also reported Cockburn will be turning pro.
The talented center entered in the NBA Draft in April, but initially left open the possibility that he could return to Illinois.
Cockburn staying in the draft isn’t unexpected, as his draft stock is likely as high as it’s going to get after a stellar sophomore season at Illinois. He produced 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for Illinois last season, helping to lead his team to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
His best game last season came against Minnesota. He scored 33 points, picked up 13 rebounds and blocked two shots in a victory over the Golden Gophers.
Cockburn isn’t currently projected to be a first round pick, but he could be selected on Day 2 or sign on with an NBA team as a 2-way player.
The 2021 NBA Draft is on July 29.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.