3 key takeaways from Kofi Cockburn's debut with Team Jamaica

Former Illinois basketball great Kofi Cockburn dominated in his FIBA World Cup debut and has Team Jamaica on the right path in the World Cup Qualifiers.

The former Illini All-American first committed to play for the Jamaican National Basketball Team in late November. But after two dominating performances in back-to-back wins against Puerto Rico, the big fella has already proven to his homeland that he may be the missing piece they've been looking for.

Kofi's command on the court was undeniable, with Jamaica winning both games by a total of 189-182. But what are some key moments from his first two games that really stuck out?

1. Double-doubles come naturally to Kofi Cockburn

The main reason why Kofi didn't make it in the NBA was because he didn't "fit the mold" of today's big-man. He is built to be a big-body underneath the basket, and not someone who can stretch the floor like the other centers of today.

But that didn't stop him from dominating the paint against Puerto Rico. The seven-footer led his team in both games, recording 34 points and 15 boards in game one, and 25 points and 12 boards in game two.

The big man is no stranger to these kinds of performances, after a collegiate career where he set the Illinois record with 45 double-doubles. He was a menace against elite college talent, and we should expect nothing less on the national stage.

2. Kofi Cockburn is the most efficient big in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Through the first two games of the World Cup Qualifiers, Kofi has proven to be the best big in the entire tournament. He outscored and outrebounded everyone in his first two games with Jamaica. But besides those two metrics, it was his efficiency that really shone through.

He was an animal! In sixty total minutes of play, Kofi posted an astounding 29.5 EFFPG for Jamaica, which is first amongst centers by eight points, and first overall by one point.

Kofi was one of the most for-sure shot makers in the entire world in just his first two games with the team. Jamaica may be 87th in the world as of writing this, but with Kofi on the team, they have a chance to climb those ranks rather quickly.

3. The bright lights don't scare Illinois' finest

If you had a chance to catch Jamaica's first game against Puerto Rico, then you were treated to one hell of a basketball game. These two squads put on a show for the fans at Coliseo Roberto Clemente, going back and forth through all four quarters in a highly contested game.

But when the lights were the brightest, and Jamaica needed points when it mattered, it was Kofi who came to the rescue.

In the closing seconds of game one between these two teams, the Illinois great put the team on his back after a missed shot by guard Chase Audige. Kofi was able to overpower the much smaller defender, Christian Negron, in the post and tip the ball in at the buzzer. It was a shot for the ages that helped secure Jamaica a monumental win in their journey towards the FIBA World Cup.