Kofi Cockburn

[realEAST]

To direct a talk towards the lower end of the draft, I'd like to hear your opinion about Kofi Cockburn.

As far as I have managed to see and read about him, he seems to be a super big, super strong old school Center, not unlike Azubuike or Steven Adams. 7'0 and 285 lbs, with 7'6 wingspan. Great rim protector and rebounder, strong finisher around the rim.

Might be a bit more athletic than them and have a bit better footwork on offense, but still should struggle to contain faster guards on perimeter. Apparently looking to improve his body in order to become quicker. Still just a somphmore.

Where do you see him going in this draft, mid to late second round or closer to first?

27 mpg
17.3 ppg
9.7 rpg
1.3 bpg
30 PER

[jman3134]

I'd put him closer to a 1st. He is a banger and that still has value.

[No-Man]

Wait Cockburn more athletic than Steven Adams? lolwut?

Also just a sophomore... he is 22 by the start of next season

He is a very non interesting guy, def would not draft him

[clyde21]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

[No-Man]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

No question, but Diakite had off-court issues too to be fair

[realEAST]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

He is 21, so more of a Junior aged player.

I tend to agree that guys like him are not being highly sought after, but on the other hand you have Azabuike who was a 1st rounder last year, and eventhough I think he defenitely was overdrafted, it seems team still find value in guys like that, at least mid to later 2nd.

[realEAST]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

No question, but Diakite had off-court issues too to be fair

Off topic, but what were his off court issues, haven't stumbled upon it?

I was high on him as under the radar, older prospect and he had a pretty good g league campaign, so I think there is an NBA player in him.

But he is a completely different type of player than Kofi.

[No-Man]

Azubuike was a) way better than Kofi b) should have not been drafted anywhere near where he went

[Stillwater]

League moving away from this type of player but maybe they should not be... he has a ltd offensive game but his low post impact is worth drafting in the 40-60 range easy. esp if the explosiveness increases with that build and length..
edit: he sucks nevermind

[jman3134]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

Disagree. What other player is as strong as him in college? Enforcer archetype has no place in the NBA?

Diakite is not at all similar.

[clyde21]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

Disagree. What other player is as strong as him in college? Enforcer archetype has no place in the NBA?

Diakite is not at all similar.

yea, Diakite is actually much more skilled

and the argument isn't whether Kofi has a role to play in the NBA, the argument is whether it's worthy of a draft pick...it's really not, players like Kofi are a dime a dozen.

[No-Man]

sign a banger from Europe, there are plenty and most of them are also more skilled

[jman3134]

meh...even if you're just looking for a low post banger Kofi isn't really anything special in that area, he's also senior aged like Fisch said...really players like him are a dime a dozen, don't see how he gets drafted...a guy like Mamadi Diakite went undrafted last year and he was a better prospect

Disagree. What other player is as strong as him in college? Enforcer archetype has no place in the NBA?

Diakite is not at all similar.

yea, Diakite is actually much more skilled

and the argument isn't whether Kofi has a role to play in the NBA, the argument is whether it's worthy of a draft pick...it's really not, players like Kofi are a dime a dozen.

It is an apples to oranges comparison.

This isn't a good take imo. The guy has a Shaq like impact at the college level. He is shooting 65.5% from the floor - equalizing for 3 pointers with eFG%, he is fourth amongst likely NBA draft prospects in overall shooting efficiency, behind only Drew Timme, Jay Huff, and Corey Kispert. So unless your take is that he won't have the size/strength profile to dominate against bigs in the NBA (translating this) or that his archetype is antiquated, you are missing the impact.

On tape, he is simply stronger than everyone else. It jumps out. He is 5th nationally in fouls drawn in the best conference in America. 11th best offensive rebounding % in the NCAA. What he is doing has been special.

Diakite isn't even in the same ballpark on the offensive glass, he is not nearly the load that Kofi has been in the paint, and Kofi is an underrated shot blocker. Sure, Diakite is more skilled (but not skilled enough to garner minutes, nor enough of a post force to distinguish himself there), but you can't ignore the Kofi impact. It is night and day. Diakite was also 23 when entering the draft because of the redshirt year. Kofi would be two years younger coming out.

[No-Man]

No, 1.5 years really

And Boban is all of that+way more skilled, and bigger, and he still only gets to play that much

You are really missing the point, you just don't invest resources in a guy like Kofi, sign him as a udfa sure, whatever

Cockburn is too mediocre defensively

[jman3134]

No, 1.5 years really

And Boban is all of that+way more skilled, and bigger, and he still only gets to play that much

You are really missing the point, you just don't invest resources in a guy like Kofi, sign him as a udfa sure, whatever

Cockburn is too mediocre defensively

Not missing the point because I said just that: you either believe the archetype of a specialist rebounder/post is antiquated or not. To me, when you are shooting a higher percentage from 2 than all but what 3 prospects shoot overall (when adjusting for the fact that a three pointer is worth more than a two), it is a no brainer that this guy's post impact is on equal footing to what shooters are bringing to the table. If you zig when the rest of the NBA zags, you put this guy in the post (allow him to develop his post game a bit more) and let the rest of the NBA give Anthony Edwards 10 three point shots per game. If everyone else is small balling, no one else will be able to compete with his size inside. With him in the game, you get potentially multiple opportunities with him cleaning up on the glass. It is all about making the fit work. If you don't believe this type of player has a place in the game, I fundamentally disagree with you, but I understand that this is not what is en vogue in the NBA right now. The game is constantly changing though.

Can he defend the three point line? Probably not. But, in all honesty, how many of the NBA's bigs are elite closing out on three point shooters? Does his impact inside and on the glass outweigh that? I think it does. Scheme around it.

[No-Man]

It's not about defending the 3pt line, he can't even close up the basket properly, and he is def not defending PnR

I am sorry but no, you are bleeding points, he is a specialist, wasting resources on him is just that, a waste

[Almost Retired]

I think he's definitely worth a 2nd Round pick on the right team. I'd love for my Bulls to draft him if he's still around when our 2nd round pick comes up. Even if he doesn't start he'd have some success on the second unit. You take what he can give you and you scheme around his limitations. If the second unit has any passers he's dangerous near the basket. He either scores on a dunk or he gets fouled. And judging by Illinois' success this season he must be doing something right on the defensive end.

[3toheadmelo]

I think he is playing in the wrong era. Maybe if he gets better defensively he can find a spot in this league. He's pretty dominant as a scorer which I like

[Chuck Everett]

This guy is a sloth. He will never work in the NBA. Wrong era. He needs to drop 30-40 lbs. Lean is where he would need to be.

[clyde21]

there is just no point in drafting him, you can get this type of player easily every year in FA or as an UDFA, it's better to use your draft pick elsewhere and and pick up someone like him off the wire instead.