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Cockburn withdraws from NBA draft

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SmedMoley

All-American
Nov 14, 2020
3,690
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Cats192 said:
This is the most twitter searching and forum refreshing I've done since waiting on the Harrison Twins decision to come back. Really think he puts us over the top.

Feels like one of those "done before it started" recruitments, but not gonna go crazy until it's official.
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From info you hear, it seems like he made up his mind to follow Antigua when he entered the portal. It's just a matter of time.
 
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SmedMoley

All-American
Nov 14, 2020
3,690
7,959
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BlueWorldOrder74 said:
We need this guy - with all we have added and coming back, this was my biggest concern (inside scoring and depth). He takes care of that in spades. We need him, it’s not just a “want.” Now, Duren would also be fine. But take KC ASAP if he wants to come.
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I think for how Cal truly wants to play, he's gotta have a guy like Cockburn. No offense to Oscar, but he's not a dominant big man. Kofi is. I don't buy the 4 out 1 in talk. So if we're going to play a traditional post game, we need the best post we can get. If our shooting is improved like we think, Kofi could have banner year in the post.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
SmedMoley said:
I think for how Cal truly wants to play, he's gotta have a guy like Cockburn. No offense to Oscar, but he's not a dominant big man. Kofi is. I don't buy the 4 out 1 in talk. So if we're going to play a traditional post game, we need the best post we can get. If our shooting is improved like we think, Kofi could have banner year in the post.
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Fun fact (since it’s Friday) regarding Tshiebwe: he only averaged about 22 minutes per game.

After looking at that interesting stat, I know why the staff is after another big.

We probably only get half a game out of Tshiebwe with foul trouble and fatigue.

Cockburn averages about 27 minutes a game. Pair those two together and the 5 spot is pretty safe.

That allows Collins the freedom to develop as a 4, which will help his game in the long run.
 
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kelzer

Senior
Nov 24, 2019
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Everybody here want's Kofi to come and be a dominant inside presence. Problem is, he's already done that and the NBA doesn't care. So he needs to be more of an Olivier Sarr type. Do you really want the guy if he's going to be a project that tries to be Sarr? Will it help the team if half his shots are 10-15 ft misses? What if he wants to work on his 3pt shooting?

We already had Sarr - how did that turn out?
 
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STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,005
57,937
98
Fa
kelzer said:
Everybody here want's Kofi to come and be a dominant inside presence. Problem is, he's already done that and the NBA doesn't care. So he needs to be more of an Olivier Sarr type. Do you really want the guy if he's going to be a project that tries to be Sarr? Will it help the team if half his shots are 10-15 ft misses? What if he wants to work on his 3pt shooting?

We already had Sarr - how did that turn out?
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Sarr is soft. I don’t think this dude is.
 
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Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
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kelzer said:
Everybody here want's Kofi to come and be a dominant inside presence. Problem is, he's already done that and the NBA doesn't care. So he needs to be more of an Olivier Sarr type. Do you really want the guy if he's going to be a project that tries to be Sarr? Will it help the team if half his shots are 10-15 ft misses? What if he wants to work on his 3pt shooting?

We already had Sarr - how did that turn out?
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Kofi is as far from Sarr as a player can get.
 
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kelzer

Senior
Nov 24, 2019
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My point was that to get into the NBA he probably needs to develop a game more like Sarr's, not that he needed to be soft like Sarr or that he's *currently* like Sarr.
 
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kelzer

Senior
Nov 24, 2019
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Why would he come to Kentucky if he's going to play the exact same role that he did at Illinois - one that didn't pan out for him?

Most draft projections have him going mid-2nd round to undrafted. Maybe he took his name out merely so he can find an NBA team that's a good match and work on getting himself invited to camp, rather than risk getting drafted in the 2nd round by a team that won't sign him.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
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kelzer said:
Why would he come to Kentucky if he's going to play the exact same role that he did at Illinois - one that didn't pan out for him?

Most draft projections have him going mid-2nd round to undrafted. Maybe he took his name out merely so he can find an NBA team that's a good match and work on getting himself invited to camp, rather than risk getting drafted in the 2nd round by a team that won't sign him.
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Or maybe he wants to continue his development with Coach O.

Or maybe he wants to win a title.

Or maybe both.
 
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kelzer

Senior
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bucsrule8872 said:
Or maybe he wants to continue his development with Coach O
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And that was my point - his development represents a project where he’s trying to make dramatic changes to his game in a way that doesn’t help the team. Becoming a jump shooter. Pick and pops instead of pick and rolls leading to dunks. Maybe even shooting threes.
 
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travisbickle_rivals252984

All-Conference
Feb 9, 2004
1,876
4,216
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kelzer said:
And that was my point - his development represents a project where he’s trying to make dramatic changes to his game in a way that doesn’t help the team. Becoming a jump shooter. Pick and pops instead of pick and rolls leading to dunks. Maybe even shooting threes.
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He can develop his game without having to go to extremes.

Passing out of the post. Getting a reliable 8-10’ shot or baseline jumper out to 12’. Maybe even just improving his body and conditioning. Lots of options.
 
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mcwildcats04

Heisman
Jul 19, 2003
9,184
12,731
93
davekersey said:
He would have been drafted higher up in the first round if he could just improve the free throw shooting. And by the way Duren is no sure thing at the line either he shot 45% last year
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I'm perfectly fine with adding Kofi now. Bird in the hand worth two in the bush.
 
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CatsIndy2010

Senior
Jan 27, 2010
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This would be a great addition.

He's tall, quick, power forward type....

If he looks at Sarr's past year, he may have doubts. Somebody needs to reassure this guy that this is a new team, new faces, and much more potential. He could be the next star of UK Basketball.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,965
71,675
113
kelzer said:
Everybody here want's Kofi to come and be a dominant inside presence. Problem is, he's already done that and the NBA doesn't care. So he needs to be more of an Olivier Sarr type. Do you really want the guy if he's going to be a project that tries to be Sarr? Will it help the team if half his shots are 10-15 ft misses? What if he wants to work on his 3pt shooting?

We already had Sarr - how did that turn out?
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Who cares what the NBA wants? This is college basketball and UK is looking to land the most dominant center possible for 21/22.
College ball is different than pro ball. I hope Kofi comes to UK, kills it and goes pro in the next draft, but for our purposes here, it's about UK, not the NBA… .well, it's supposed to be.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,965
71,675
113
kelzer said:
Why would he come to Kentucky if he's going to play the exact same role that he did at Illinois - one that didn't pan out for him?

Most draft projections have him going mid-2nd round to undrafted. Maybe he took his name out merely so he can find an NBA team that's a good match and work on getting himself invited to camp, rather than risk getting drafted in the 2nd round by a team that won't sign him.
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Because he is what he is and as much as I hate it, UK puts kids in the draft that wouldn't normally go… .because UK players show out in the NBA. This ain't hard man.

If I'm Kofi, I play like Bam did and work on the outside shot.
 
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BigBlueManSouthCentralKY

Heisman
Jul 26, 2003
21,180
11,162
0
One article I read said that Cockburn is who he is and what he is going to be. If that is true he will probably just stick with what he does best and not worry about gunning three's and the like. I hope that is the case.
 
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mc140

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
8,810
2,880
113
-If his goal is to change his game he is not going to Kentucky. Too much talent and not enough minutes or basketballs to change who he is.

-If his goal is to win he is going to Kentucky.

-If his goal is to make the most possible money, he could end up anywhere.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
kyjeff1 said:
Who cares what the NBA wants? This is college basketball and UK is looking to land the most dominant center possible for 21/22.
College ball is different than pro ball. I hope Kofi comes to UK, kills it and goes pro in the next draft, but for our purposes here, it's about UK, not the NBA… .well, it's supposed to be.
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Agreed.

I love the idea of having a dominant post presence like that.

But also, the game has changed (even in college) which has made a guy like Cockburn exploitable.

It is great to have a throwback aircraft carrier in the middle, but you need to have a guy that can defend on the perimeter as well.

Cockburn and the Illini went down early in the tourney because they failed to make adjustments and Loyola exploited Cockburn by putting him in Pick and Roll situations.

Cal needs to learn from that. He doesn’t need to be afraid to pull Cockburn out and stick in a smaller player at the 5 so teams can’t exploit that matchup.

We should have the versatility to match any style.

A coach likes to impose their will on their opponents, but sometimes you have to beat them at their own game. Cal should have the weapons to do that as long as he doesn’t fixate on playing Cockburn 30 minutes a game because he is a star.
 
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bigblue1971

All-American
Dec 20, 2014
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Wonder what the hold up is on Kofi. Is it him or the staff? Need to sign him like YESTERDAY.
 
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tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,850
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One of the insiders (can't remember which one) might have been Bossi or Rothstein on KSR last week, said he was suppose to meet with his family this past weekend and discuss his plans/visits, etc. I'm sure there will be some new developments this week.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
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He has over a month to decide before classes start in late August, but I bet he decides in a few weeks.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he just visits UK and then decides between UK and going back to Illinois. It sounds like those are the two main options.
 
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