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Illinois Basketball: Progress, departures and the future of the Illini

By Collin Allen

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 13: Ayo Dosunmu #11, Kofi Cockburn #21 and Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini walk off the court after a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 13, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 13: Ayo Dosunmu #11, Kofi Cockburn #21 and Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini walk off the court after a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 13, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) puts his hand on the shoulder of guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) after a play against the Loyola Ramblers during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Loyola Ramblers won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Departures

Ayo Dosunmu, who returned to the Illini after declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft, is likely going to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft and will likely keep his name entered in the draft this go-around.

Dosunmu has been the Illini’s go-to player since his 2018-2019 freshman season.  During his three-year Illini career, Dosunmu averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest.

Like Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn is the other Illini who entered his name into the 2020 NBA Draft and ended up withdrawing his name, returning to Illinois for another season.  As an Illini, Cockburn has averaged 15.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest.  The Illini big man also won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award during his dominant debut season.

Cockburn’s status for next season is currently unknown, but the big man is projected to be selected in the second round in a mock draft by NBADraft.net.  Could Cockburn return for another season to become a projected first-round selection?

Senior guard Trent Frazier is not expected to return to the Illini for a fifth season, per his father’s Twitter.  As an Illini, Frazier averaged 11.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game during his four-year career. Frazier was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team his freshman season and was named an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team during three of his four seasons for the Illini.

It is unclear whether senior guard Da’Monte Williams will use his extra year of eligibility for the Illini next season.  Williams has been a huge piece for the Illini, especially the past two years.

During Williams’ past two seasons, the guard has averaged 3.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 steals.  His stats won’t “wow” you, but Williams played the “glue-guy” role for the Illini, making high-IQ plays, hustling for loose balls, and playing stellar defense.  If Williams decides to return, the Illini would be retaining a valuable piece.

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