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Illinois Basketball: Kofi Cockburn is a permanent fixture in Illini freshman records

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 11: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) celebrates after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 11: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) celebrates after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 11, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The excitement that Kofi Cockburn is bringing the Illinois basketball team is not wearing off anytime soon.

I would say this is the most fun I have had watching the Illini play since they tore through the competition en route to the national title game in 2005. Kofi is a large reason – figuratively and literally – why this program has seen a resurgence and why they are so entertaining.

The presence of Kofi in the paint is something Illinois fans should enjoy why we have it. I am not sure how long he is going to be in Champaign. My guess is just this season. But let’s relish in the fact that Kofi is a member of this team and is doing the things he is doing on the basketball court.

Kofi’s numbers at this point in the season are absolutely silly. We are witnessing a player who is about to etch his name on just about every Illinois basketball freshman record that exists.

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There has already been one record that Kofi has taken down. Just five games into his career, he pulled down 17 rebounds against The Citadel. This beat the previous record-holder – Deon Thomas (16) – for the most rebounds in a game by a freshman. Kofi has since had another 17-rebound game.

Let’s take a look at a few other statistical categories. Kofi is currently averaging 15 points per game this season. If he finishes at this mark, he would end up No. 4 all-time in freshman scoring in a single-season. He would be right ahead of teammates Ayo Dosunmu who is currently No. 4 (13.8 PPG), Giorgi Bezhanishvili who is No. 5 (12.5 PPG) and Trent Frazier who is tied with Giorgi at No. 5 (12.5 PPG).

Single-season rebounding average is pretty much a lock for Kofi. The current No. 1 is Efrem Winters who had a solid freshman campaign where he averaged 6.9 rebounds per game in 1983. Kofi is currently averaging 9.7 RPG, so he would easily slip into the No. 1 spot on this list.

Freshman field goal percentage is a category dominated by big men. Obviously, the closer to the hoop the higher the success rate is to make the shot. Kofi is currently shooting 55.6-percent from the field. If he finishes with that number, he would come in at No. 3 on the freshman single-season field goal percentage list. Kofi would be right ahead of Giorgi, who is currently No. 3 at 54.2-percent.

There is one more statistical category to look at and that is single-game scoring. Kofi’s highest-scoring game this season came against North Carolina A&T where he put up 26 points. That number is great, but it isn’t good enough to crack the top four list in the Illinois record book. I believe he can hit 32 points this season, which is the No. 4 spot held by Frazier. Giorgi is No. 1 with 35 points.

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When this season is all said and done, Kofi is going to cement himself into the Illinois freshman record book. His name will be there for the rest of time. That is why I continue to tell you, enjoy what you are watching now because we don’t know how long Kofi will be in Champaign.

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