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Illinois Basketball: How the return of Kofi Cockburn helps the Illini

By Jalen Wilson

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) walks across the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) walks across the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Illinois received some of the best news they could possibly receive about two weeks ago when Kofi Cockburn withdrew from the NBA Draft.

After last season ended due to COVID-19, Kofi entered his name into the draft pool. This was devastating news to most Illinois basketball fans, but there was always a possibility he would decide to come back.

On August 1, 2020, Kofi made his decision and posted on Twitter that he was coming back to Champaign for his sophomore season. His return will impact the Illini tremendously.


The return of Kofi will help in many ways including the post defense. Last season, Kofi was the Illini’s best post defender as he averaged 1.4 blocks per game. He was also a big reason why Illinois ranked No. 208 in blocks per game, which is better than the previous season where they ranked No. 252 in the country.

It was also evident that Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Jermaine Hamlin struggled when guarding opposing big men. When Kofi was on the bench, Illinois wasn’t the same team in the paint. He gave the Fighting Illini a much-needed defensive presence.

Another area on the floor where Kofi’s return helps is in the post on offense. Illinois won’t have to rely on young players to provide offense in the post, as was expected when Kofi was still in the draft pool.

Last season, Kofi averaged 13.3 points per game. That type of production would have been dearly missed. Illinois now goes from relying on Giorgi or Hamlin to score in the low-post, to now having an All-American caliber big man dominating in the paint.

The final area of improvement with Kofi returning is the obvious one; rebounding. The big man averaged 8.8 rebounds per game last season, which is an impressive number for a seasoned player let along a true freshman. Finding the rebounding production on the team without Kofi would have been difficult. But Brad Underwood doesn’t have to stress about that anymore with Kofi returning to the lineup.

Next. Illini lineup with Ayo and Kofi returning. dark

Kofi coming back for one more go at things is huge for the Illinois basketball team and the fanbase. A player like Kofi doesn’t come around very often. Hopefully, we get to play the 2020-21 season and see this kid dominate on the basketball court.

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