CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday the signing of four-star, consensus top-50 recruit Kofi Cockburn to a national letter of intent. The 7-foot, 290-pound Kingston, Jamaica native is one of the top-rated centers in the country and the highest-ranked post player to join the Fighting Illini program since current Portland Trail Blazer Meyers Leonard in 2010.
Cockburn spent this past season at the legendary prep program Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., under the direction of head coach Steve Smith. He averaged 14.8 points while shooting better than 62 percent from the field, and led the Warriors in rebounds at 10.1 rpg to average a double-double on the year. He also led the team in blocks with 1.8 bpg. Cockburn averaged 9.5 points and 9.5 rebounds at the Geico High School Nationals tournament, where Oak Hill advanced to the semifinals to finish the year ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Super 25 final team rankings. He most recently competed for the World Team at the Nike Hoops Summit.
Cockburn came to the United States from Jamaica for high school, arriving in New York City. As a freshman he played organized basketball for the first time, attending Christ the King High School before making the move to Oak Hill for the 2018-19 season. He also played in AAU with the NY Renaissance, averaging 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds on the EYBL circuit last summer.
KOFI COCKBURN
C, 7-0, 290
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
High School / Coach: Oak Hill Academy (Va.) / Steve Smith
AAU Program: NY Rens
Notes on Cockburn: Consensus four-star recruit … Ranked No. 38 by Rivals, No. 41 by 247Sports and No. 46 by ESPN … No. 9-ranked center by Rivals, No. 10 by 247Sports and No. 11 by ESPN … Averaged a double-double during the 2018-19 season at Oak Hill, tallying 14.8 ppg and 10.1 rpg … Shot 62.1 percent from the field and also led the Warriors in blocks with 1.8 bpg … Concluded his Oak Hill career by averaging 9.5 points and 9.5 rebounds at the Geico High School Nationals tournament, April 4-6 in New York City … Competed for the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit April 12 in Portland.
Underwood on Cockburn: "Kofi is a difference maker. It is rare that you see a young man with his size who also has great athleticism and agility. He has a unique skill set to go along with his 7-foot, 290-pound frame in that he moves really well and is a good passer. With his size, ability to finish, and rebounding power, Kofi will impact the game on both ends of the floor."
