Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Iowa

4. Kofi is a man among boys

We are now on the third season of watching Kofi Cockburn play basketball. He has now played in 68 games for the Illini, and I am still amazed each time he touches the ball.

Kofi is a rare player for the Illinois basketball team. In my lifetime, I haven’t seen a player of his caliber in the paint, and I probably won’t see another one for at least a decade or two.

What blows my mind the most this season is the fact Kofi has improved his game. He isn’t just a monster in the middle. This kid has developed to a point where his weaknesses are starting to turn into strengths, and that is a scary thought.

Last season, Kofi was a poor free throw shooter as he was hitting just 55.3% of his shots from the charity stripe. Clearly, he worked on his game this season and improved his free throw shooting. He is now hitting a career-high 71.4% of his free throws, which is fifth on the team.

There are intangibles that Kofi is working on as well. Last season, when the ball would get dumped down into Kofi, he wouldn’t even think about passing out of the paint. He would lower the shoulder and drive to the basket. He has now developed his game to the point where he is seeing all of his options with the ball.

Kofi is starting to pass out of the paint, which leads to open three-point shots. When the double or triple team comes down on the big man, he is being smart with the ball and not just going full bull-in-china-shop. It is so nice to see.

The fact Kofi has developed his game is amazing for the Illini and for his NBA future. If he continues on his tear, there is no doubt he will see NBA action in his future.