NCAA Basketball: 5 impactful under-the-radar recruits for 2019-20

Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois

The only top 50 recruit on this list, Cockburn is slated to have a huge role on an Illinois team that should be much better in 2019-20.

At first glance, a 6-10, 290-pound big man may not be a great fit for Brad Underwood’s pressing defensive system. Illinois was able to win a few games that way by itself, but let many more slip away with their lack of success in the half court.

Enter Cockburn, who enters as the second-best player on the roster behind Ayo Dosunmu. He is (literally) a huge factor in the paint on both ends, using his strength to neutralize opposing bigs on defense while demonstrating an advanced post game thanks to his footwork and touch around the basket. Cockburn is also as good of a rebounder as you would expect for someone of his size.

Illinois’ pace of play won’t be a massive adjustment, either. He has experience playing fast at Oak Hill, where he was able to keep up with the likes of Cole Anthony, the nation’s highest-rated point guard.

Oh, and don’t forget the fact that Cockburn has only been playing basketball for four years. A native of Jamaica, he didn’t play basketball until he started high school. His best days are still ahead of him as he continues to develop.

Five-star prospects still dominate the college basketball landscape and will be the freshmen you hear the most about going into next season, but these five players are the kind of under-the-radar gems that will have just as big an impact.