College Basketball Will Not Be The Same Without Kofi Cockburn

Tough situation for Illini fans. I know Kofi went through full senior day honors and made it very clear he was leaving. But even seeing that, you hoped NIL could sway him back and there would be one more run. And for a million bucks or whatever, not a bad option to be the king of a college campus for another year vs. G league minutes. But that’s classic alumni arm chair quarterback play from me on the decision. Of course I want him staying for his senior year. He’s purely one of the most dominant college basketball players I’ve ever seen. The 1st Consensus (or unanimous?) first team all American in basically two decades and easily the most physically imposing guy to ever wear the orange and blue. So imposing that Cockburn never really hit as a joke no matter how hard you try because it’s hard to shit talk a 7 foot 300 pound specimen.

I’m going to miss him for a lot of reasons. He’s the face of some of the best memories I have as an Illini grad for so long. But some birds weren’t meant to be caged.

On that front I’m sure Kofi will be ripping up Red Lion for the next couple days so make sure you go get an autograph. And be sure to say thank you for all dunks. So. Many. Violent. Dunks.