Kofi Cockburn Set To Announce Plans To Return To Illinois Today

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn originally had plans to enter the NBA Draft this year. But after the NCAA implemented their new NIL rule, which allows players to benefit off their name, image and likeness, Cockburn thought better of it.

Earlier in the week, Kofi announced that he was planning on revealing if he was staying at Illinois or transferring to another school on Friday (today).

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Kofi Cockburn To Make Announcement On Basketball Future This Fridayhttps://t.co/LDMYt9zMa4

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) July 13, 2021

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While Kofi Cockburn still hasn’t announced his decision, it has been widely reported that he has plans to return to Illinois for one more season with coach Brad Underwood.

According to the News-Gazette, Cockburn should be coming out with his plans any time now.

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Loren Tate with news that Kofi Cockburn is going to announce his return to Illinois 7-15-21 https://t.co/RvTXMQZRAb via @news_gazette

— NewsTalk 1400 & 93.9-FM WDWS (@wdws1400) July 15, 2021

Kofi Cockburn’s return to Illinois carries massive implications for the Big Ten and college basketball as a whole. Kofi is likely to be among a long list of potential candidates to take home the Naismith award. And it would appear that Illinois is a legitimate threat with Cockburn’s dominant presence in the paint.

Without Cockburn, Illinois is probably just a middle of the pack Big Ten team.

Kofi Cockburn’s decision is likely going to bring a lot of joy to the Illini faithful today, who will have Final Four aspirations when the season rolls around.

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