CHAMPAIGN — The upside for the latest Illinois basketball recruit is obvious. Kofi Cockburn stands 7-feet tall and weighs 290 pounds. That's "block the sun" kind of size.
"He's a great piece to our puzzle," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said Thursday at the Ubben Basketball Complex. "He's a very gifted young man.
"It's a guy who is ready physically to play in the Big Ten and that really excites me."
Cockburn made an even bigger impression on Underwood with his off-the-court skillset.
During his official visit to Illinois in late December, Underwood welcomed the player to his home.