Prospect Overview
Massive center who had a stellar season at the collegiate level imposing his will on the interior and cleaning the glass.
About Kofi Cockburn
Kofi Cockburn is one of the most physically imposing players in the sport standing 7-feet tall and weighing almost 300 pounds and made the most of it as a junior at Illinois on the way to All-American honors. Born in Jamaica but growing up in Queens, Cockburn’s physical dimensions earned him some attention early on and he played in a pair of Nike Hoop Summits over his three seasons at Oak Hill Academy where he finished his senior year ranked among the consensus top-50 prospects in the high school class of 2019. Making major progress with his game in the summer before his freshman year, he averaged 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a true freshman under coach Brad Underwood at Illinois. Declaring for and withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, Cockburn showed growth in his second year in Champaign. Going through the draft process a second time in 2021, he showed well at the G League Elite Camp but returned to school anyway facing steep expectations as one of the top returning players in the country. Averaging 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds over 30.7 minutes per game as a junior despite facing constant double teams, the 22-year-old big man earned Consensus All-American first-team honors as he carried the Illini much of the season.
• Measured standing 7’0 in shoes with a powerfully built 293-pound frame and a 7’4.25 wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, Cockburn is one of the largest players in the sport even after shedding some weight over his three collegiate seasons. He is not the most nimble big man, but has rare strength and a strong motor.
• Carrying a heavy shot creating burden when he was on the floor, Cockburn was the focal point of the Illini offense. Ranking among the most productive back to the basket scorers in the country and facing as many double teams as nearly any player over the last decade, the massive big man imposed his will on opposing centers down low. Establishing deep position, operating decisively off seals or drop steps, and drawing fouls in bunches he finished the year ranked among the most efficient volume scorers in the country. His ability to finish well-placed lobs and make an impact on the glass played a role in that, as did the improvement of his left hand.
• Lacking a degree of lift, Cockburn nonetheless showed some ability to protect the rim when the action came to him. A very good area rebounder who was nearly unmovable inside, his size is intimidating, but like most players his size, he is much more comfortable guarding on the interior than away from the rim.
Advanced Stats
• Carrying a huge burden on the block, Cockburn ranks among the highest volume back to the basket threats at the high-major level in recent history. Scoring 1.00 points per post up possession [84th percentile] his efficiency on the block was the cornerstone of Illinois’ half court offense. Doing a nice job moving bodies before the catch and operating quickly once he got the ball, Cockburn showed the ability to make hooks over both shoulders and use drop steps to initiate contact, but did a lot of scoring off the way he could seal defenders out of plays. Having a bounce back year at the foul line, Cockburn has more to gain from improving as a free throw shooter than most as his size makes him a magnet for fouls.
• A ferocious rebounder who looks to tear the rim off the backboard any chance he gets as a finisher, Cockburn scored a terrific 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [89th percentile]. Looking to put defenders in the rim with room to gather and catching some lobs, his weight loss afforded him some additional lift as a junior.
• Making the easy play returning the ball back out to the perimeter out of double teams and experimenting a bit with midrange shots, Cockburn’s skill level evolved a bit over his three seasons in college, but he still does much of his damage in the lane and looks for his shot assertively.
Defensive Analysis
• Using his frame and length well, he’s an effective area rebounder and puts a body on opposing big men inside. Cockburn’s size is a factor around the rim defensively even if he does not block a lot of shots. Allowing 0.79 points per post up possession [59th percentile], very few big men could move him off of spots on the low block.
• Looking a little more spry as his frame improved away from the rim, Cockburn nonetheless remains dramatically more comfortable guarding inside than chasing opposing big men outside of the paint.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
