A lot has happened since the Illini basketball season ended, from player transfers to assistant coaching changes. Check out this video to get caught up.
CHAMPAIGN — There were the rim-rattling dunks, high-flying blocks and bone-crushing screens, all of which made Kofi Cockburn a fan favorite and one of the most dominant big men in the country during his two seasons at Illinois.
Cockburn, a 7-foot, 285-pound center, has done everything but come right out and say that he’s remaining in the 2021 NBA Draft and won’t be returning to Champaign.
The Jamaica native made a post on Instagram on Tuesday with a heartfelt caption, signaling that his time with the Illini is over.
“Extremely happy to have been apart of and represented a program like this, I enjoyed every single day I spent in Champaign and I am proud of the growth I had while I was there, words can’t express how much I love the Illini and I wouldn’t trade that part of my journey for the world,” Cockburn wrote.
Cockburn began auctioning off his memorabilia online Wednesday via The Players Trunk website. His collection features several game-worn items such as jerseys, shorts and shoes. The Players Trunk describes itself as, “A platform for former college athletes to control their name, image, and likeness while building their individual brands.”
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Although the state of Illinois legislature passed a NIL bill Tuesday that would allow college athletes in the state to profit off of their NIL, it is still awaiting a signature from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and wouldn’t take effect until July 1. Since that bill, which was sponsored by former Illini and Illinois state representative Kam Buckner, hasn’t been given the green light just yet, Cockburn’s willingness to sell his memorabilia shows that he is ready to close the door on amateurism and begin his professional career.
Former Illini Kam Buckner sponsoring Illinois’ name, image and likeness bill for college athletes
Cockburn originally declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on April 18. The draft will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on July 29. Cockburn is not expected to be selected among the 60 picks, according to NBADraft.net.
“Basketball took me places that I wouldn’t dare dream of as a boy, it taught me lessons in life,” Cockburn wrote on Instagram in April. “The NBA has been a life long dream of mine and I am ready to go to the next level and see what’s in store for me. This journey is really special to me and I appreciate everyone who played a part in getting me here.”
Cockburn was a key piece of Illinois’ resurgence. He averaged 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Big Ten honors during the team’s 21-10 season in 2019-20.
The 7-footer was even more imposing as a sophomore, averaging 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during the 2020-21 season. Cockburn led the nation with 78 dunks and was a First Team All-Big Ten honoree and consensus Second Team All-American. He recorded 16 double-doubles as the Illini went 24-7, claiming their first Big Ten Tournament championship since 2005 and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Cockburn is still listed on Illinois’ 2021-22 roster, though that is likely to change in the near future.
In the absence of Cockburn, the most notable big men currently on the Illini’s roster are 6-10 junior Omar Payne, who transferred from Florida, and 6-10 sophomore Coleman Hawkins. Payne averaged 3.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in two seasons with the Gators, while Hawkins averaged 1.4 points per game as a reserve for Illinois last season.
Illinois basketball uniforms through the years
Illinois basketball had been around since the early 1900s, but “Illinois” in all caps didn’t appear on uniforms until 1922. Numbers didn’t appear until 1935.
The Lou Henson era brought an interesting style change: Cursive. This was the uniform style from 1975-80.
Bruce Douglas wearing what became the classic Fighting Illini uniforms of the 1980s.
Kendall Gill and the Flyin’ Illini etched the 1980s uniforms in the minds of Illini fans.
A return to the all-cap “Illinois” — albeit sanserif this time — made its return in the 2000s and were a good-luck charm in 2005, with a Final Four run.
It was when the 2005 group wore the orange versions that the look really stood out. Dee Brown’s orange jersey is iconic.
The 2010s brought alternate jerseys into college basketball. This jersey made its debut in 2011.
A new look with the jagged side stripe debuted in 2014 and stuck around for three seasons.
Since the throwbacks have been in style, this is a look — worn here by Malcolm Hill in 2016 — the Illini feature at least once almost every year.
The Illini had a gray alternate uniform in 2013 and throughout the middle part of the decade.
Recent years have seen the Illini go with a cleaner look, but it’s still the classic all caps “Illinois.”
The Illini brought this late 1970s look back last year as an alternate.
Illinois guard Chester Frazier charges down the court with teammate Shaun Pruitt during the second half of the Big Ten basketball tournament against Penn State in Chicago, Thursday, March 8, 2007. Illinois defeated Penn State 66-60. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cal State Long Beachs Mike Atkinson, right, tries to strip the ball from University of Illinois T.J. Wheeler during first half action in first round NCAA game, Thursday, March 18, 1993, Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Jack Smith)
Wearing a protective nose guard, Michigan’s Chris Webber (4) defends against Illinois Robert Bennett (30) during the first half Saturday night at Chrysler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., January 23, 1993. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Follow James Boyd on Twitter: @RomeovilleKid
