Who is Kofi Cockburn:
Kofi Cockburn (KO-fee Co-burn) is a 7 foot tall, 285 pound, Center for The Fighting Illini. He is originally from Kingston, Jamaica and took his first official visit to the University of Illinois in 2018. Cockburn didn’t start taking basketball seriously until he moved to New York City in 2015. Jamaica is known for the sports of soccer and track. His older brother, Nagash Cockburn, was the one who loved the game of basketball and saw potential in Kofi. With his brother saying that, Kofi has had a great basketball season this yer!
Kofi’s Basketball Beginning:
Cockburn earned a scholarship to Christ the King in Queens, New York. A famous alumni, who also played basketball, came from this college, and his name is Lamar Odom. Lamar Odom was a NBA player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers right alongside Kobe Bryant. Kofi looked up to him because the NBA was his dream and Lamar was from the same home turf as him. Cockburn transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virgin, for his senior season. This is where he started averaging double-doubles and rose to a top-50 recruit. He had offers from Syracuse, Oregon, Indiana, UCLA, Connecticut and Kansas.
Cockburn’s Great Performances For The Fighting Illini:
Cockburn declared for the NBA after last season, but decided to stay another year, alongside his teammate Ayo Dosunmu. But staying back, Kofi Cockburn has had a great basketball season! He was one of the most physical players in college basketball this season. He got 16 double-doubles, averaged 17.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and from the field, he was 65.8% which put him 10th overall nationally. That is good statistics for a big man in college. This season alone, Cockburn has dunked approximately 70 times.
Kofi’s Dunk Reel:
Here are some of Cockburn’s highlights from this 2020-21 season! He is a force in the paint, a blocker of shots and a giant of any team. Kofi Cockburn has had a great basketball season this year!
Kofi’s Achievement:
In the 2019-20 season Kofi got awarded Big Ten All-Freshman award. Not only did he make it but also 3 of his teammates too (Andre Curbelo, Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier). Also during that season he got the award for Big Ten Rookie of the Year. Those are the only 2 awards he received that season. Now to this season, he was awarded the Wooden award (during the preseason and late season), All Big Ten award, 1st Team All Big Ten and 2nd Team All-American. He has made improvements since last year in the awards category.
Controversy After NCAA Tournament Loss:
March Madness is something all college basketball players and fans look forward to. During March Madness, things get serious for players and fans though. That is what makes it March Madness though. Involved with the madness is the NCAA Tournament. Once the Fighting Illini lost in the 2nd round, things kind of got out of hand. Cockburn faced a racist comment on social media following their loss. Kofi posted a screenshot and responded by writing: “I blame his parents.” Cockburn is not the only one who’s had racists comment, E.J. Liddell received threatening and insulting social media messages following their loss. Not everyone can take a loss lightly but going after someone is wrong because they are human just like everyone else.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trevionne Sanders
Student Author - Spring 2021
