Cockburn withdraws from NBA draft, still weighing Illinois transfer

Illinois star center Kofi Cockburn has withdrawn his name from the 2021 NBA Draft after receiving unsatisfactory feedback from teams during the process, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

The 7-footer said he's still undecided on a return to Illinois after entering the transfer portal Thursday.

"I'm pretty much open," Cockburn told Givony. "There's a possibility I return to Illinois and a possibility I don't. I want to make a quick decision as soon as possible.

"I don't want to go back and forth. I'm going to take some visits, but I'm not sure where."

Cockburn, 21, recorded 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the Fighting Illini as a sophomore last season. The Jamaican-born big man was a consensus All-American second-team selection and earned All-Big Ten first-team honors.

The 2020 Big Ten Freshman of the Year said Kentucky is among his potential transfer destinations. The Wildcats hired former Illinois assistants Orlando Antigua and Ronald Coleman in May to join John Calipari's staff next season.

"Kentucky? It's a serious option. Antigua is my guy," Cockburn said. "I'm going to consider them, but there (are) a lot of schools. I wasn't really focused on that while I was in the NBA draft. Now I can take my time and evaluate it better."