Illinois junior center Kofi Cockburn has declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced on his social media accounts.
The Kingston, Jamaica native leaves the Fighting Illini as one of the most decorated and successful players in program history, as a two-time consensus All-American, Big Ten Champion, the school's scoring and rebounding leader among three-year players, and the UI's double-doubles record holder as well.
"We wish Kofi the best as he prepares for his NBA career," Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said. "His growth and development over the last three years was remarkable. He leaves as the greatest center in Illini history, which is evident by his many accolades. But above those individual awards, it was his impact on winning that will leave a legacy. We'll always be grateful to Kofi for what he's meant to our program and know he has a bright future ahead."
Kofi Cockburn 2021-22 Highlights
- Only player in the nation to average 20+ points (20.9 ppg) and 10+ rebounds (10.6 rpg)
- Only player to rank in the top 20 nationally in both scoring (11th) and rebounding (8th)
- NCAA Consensus First-Team All-American
- First-Team All-America selection by Associated Press, NABC, USBWA, Sporting News, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Field of 68 and College Hoops Today
- Wooden Award All-American Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Finalist
- Lute Olson Award Finalist
- Unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten, NABC First-Team All-District 7 and USBWA All-District V Team
- Third in NCAA with 11 games of 20+ points and 10+ boards
- Ninth nationally in kenpom offensive rating (114.7)
- 10th in NCAA in double-doubles (despite missing five games) with 17
- 16th in NCAA in field goal percentage at 59.3%
- First Illini player in 50 years to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds (Nick Weatherspoon, 1972)
- Illinois school record holder with 45 career double-doubles, second in NCAA over last three years
- Most career points (1,546) and career rebounds (861) in Illini history among three-year players
