What Kofi Cockburn departure means for Michigan Basketball

Illinois star Kofi Cockburn announced on Wednesday that he was entering the NBA draft and here’s what it could mean for Michigan basketball. 

Michigan basketball fans are hoping to hear something on the status of Hunter Dickinson soon. But on Wednesday, we got an answer on the potential return of one elite Big Ten center as Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn declared for the NBA draft.

This is good news for Michigan basketball for a couple of reasons. For one, Kofi did as good a job as anyone in the Big Ten of defending Hunter Dickinson and if the 7-foot-1 center returns to the Wolverines, Illinois will be much easier to face without Cockburn.

Illinois is still going to be formidable next season but the loss of guys like Trent Frazier and Cockburn, two elite defenders, will have a big impact.

Not only will the departure of Cockburn weaken Illinois but it could also help Michigan basketball in another way — in the recruitment of Texas Tech transfer Terrance Shannon.

What it means for Michigan basketball and Terrance Shannon

When it comes to the transfer destination of Shannon, a 6-foot-6 wing who shot 38 percent from 3-point range, is a standout defender, and averaged 10.4 points per game last season for Texas Tech, it could make a difference. And he would be perfect for this team, however, Illinois and Kentucky are also in the mix.

There were rumblings that Shannon would be paying close attention to the decision of Cockburn and it will be interesting to see if his departure will impact Shannon’s decision. Some even believe Michigan is leading, pending on the admissions process, which is never a slam dunk.

The Wolverines also haven’t had any departures yet to the draft or the portal, so Michigan doesn’t even have room. Still, you feel like U-M will find room if Shannon wants to come and actually can.