NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target Illinois transfer Kofi Cockburn

Kentucky Wildcats

When news hit that Cockburn was entering the transfer portal, the Wildcats were the team everyone looked at. That’s because two of Cockburn’s assistant coaches (Chin Coleman and Orlando Antigua) joined head coach John Calipari this offseason. Cockburn was already a star in  Champaign but imagine if he had an All-American campaign in Lexington for one of the real “blue bloods” in NCAA Basketball?

In this scenario, the elephant in the room would have to be addressed in West Virginia transfer Oscar Tshiebwe, who joined the team in the middle of last season. But the reality here is that Cockburn and Tshiebwe are effectively the same players, with the Illinois big man simply being the better version. And after a 9-16 dismal record last season, you can’t blame Coach Calipari for doing everything he can to have the best roster possible for the 2021-22 campaign. It just may come at the cost of the WVU transfer’s expense.

Memphis Tigers

Head coach Penny Hardaway is not only back after interviewing for the Orlando Magic job in the NBA, but he also is bringing with him Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown to be part of the Memphis staff. His resume is undeniable, along with the roster’s need for a big man after former five-star Moussa Cisse departed this offseason.

This is a program that loves having star big men, including James Wiseman, Precious Achiuwa, and potentially No. 1 class of 2022 big man Jalen Duren, who is currently considering the Tigers. If they don’t land him, Cockburn would be a great second option. And this is somewhere where he’d be a No. 1 option on offense and likely become AAC Player of the Year.