(From Illinois Sports Information Office)
Fighting Illini all-time great Kofi Cockburn will make his anticipated return to the University of Illinois campus on Tuesday, Feb. 11, participating in a banner raising ceremony as part of the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program.
Cockburn is one of the most decorated and successful players in Illinois Basketball history and arguably the program's greatest center. The Kingston, Jamaica native was a two-time consensus All-American, two-time Big Ten Champion, the school's scoring (1,546 points) and rebounding (861 boards) leader among three-year players, and the Illini career double-doubles record holder (45) as well.
"I'm extremely excited to return home after such a long time. It feels like decades since I've been back to Champaign," Cockburn said. "It is an absolute honor to have my jersey raised at State Farm Center, one I couldn't have received without the support of my staff, my teammates and the #1 fanbase in all of college basketball."
The 2020 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2022 University of Illinois Athlete of the Year, Cockburn stands as one of just two players in Illini history to earn multiple selections to the Wooden Award All-America Team, along with Dee Brown.
Cockburn is now in his third season playing professionally overseas, currently in South Korea starring with the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Illinois will face UCLA at 7 p.m. at State Farm Center on Feb. 11. A limited number of tickets are still available and can be purchased online at FightingIllini.com.
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