Junior center Kofi Cockburn announced his decision to declare for the NBA Draft via Twitter on Wednesday.

“To play in the NBA has been a longtime dream of mine,” Cockburn said. “This journey has been a very special one. Never did I ever imagine being part of something so fun and extraordinary … so many wonderful memories and bonds that I will cherish for a lifetime.”

This past season, the dominant center proved once again why he is one of the best college basketball players in the country, consistently dropping double-doubles and leading Illinois to a Big Ten title.

Cockburn will be the third Illini from the 2021-2022 roster to declare for the NBA Draft, joining fellow teammates fifth-year senior guard Trent Frazier and graduate student Alfonso Plummer, who entered their names into the draft last week.

Cockburn played a crucial role in restoring Illinois basketball to the top over the past few years and only continued to improve each season. The All-American center averaged 13.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in his freshman season, 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds in his sophomore season and 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds in his junior season.

The 7-foot center has achieved nearly everything from an individual standpoint, breaking the school record for most career double-doubles, achieving All-American honors and scoring a career-high 38 points against the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

Cockburn helped the Illini win silverware in the form of the Big Ten Tournament and a share of the Big Ten regular season title, ending Illinois’ 15-year trophy drought within the conference.

This marks the third straight year that the All-American center has declared for the NBA Draft. After returning the past two times, this statement is likely the one that sees the junior officially depart.

@james_kim15

[email protected]