Déjà vu for Jamaica’s Cockburn, NBA decision looms

TO THE frustration of Jamaican basketballer Kofi Cockburn and the University of Illinois, history repeated itself in the worst way at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

For the second straight year, Illinois were eliminated at the round of 32 stage, this time to fifth seed Houston in their second-round game played on Sunday, ending Cockburn’s junior season and renewing contemplation on his NBA future.

Cockburn had 19 points and eight rebounds in the game where Illinois trailed by four points at half-time but weren’t able to close the gap on Houston who booked their place in the last 16 with a 68-53 win. Illinois were eliminated at the same stage last year to Loyola Chicago when they were given the number one seed in the Midwest Region.

Cockburn said after the game that the defeat was a hard pill to swallow, not only for himself, but also for those who will be leaving the programme this year.

“I mean it is what it is. We fell short. In games like this, there is not much you can say. You can’t put it into words. It is a hard feeling going through this for another year,” Cockburn said.

“I went through it last year before. It hurts really bad, especially for the guys that are leaving. We always want to leave with a good feeling. We do not want to leave the freshmen and younger guys with a bad feeling. It sucks that we lost.”

Illinois’ loss also concluded Jamaica’s participation in the tournament as Jamaican international Josh Minott and the University of Memphis were also beaten in their round of 32 game on Saturday against the number one seed, Gonzaga.

FIRST LEAD

Illinois survived a late first-round scare on Friday when they defeated Chattanooga 54-53 thanks to a late field goal by Cockburn which helped his team earn their first lead of the game with 47 seconds remaining.

However, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood lamented their poor shooting which cost them a chance to go to the last 16 for the first time since 2005.

“We shot it terribly. I have been through more things this year with this team than I have my entire career put together. The stuff that we had to deal with,” Underwood said. “Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, you don’t get the breaks you need. At the end of the day, we have to be better.”

Cockburn returned for his third college season after opting out of the NBA draft last summer and went on to average 21 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, earning him a selection to the Associated Press All American First Team.

Cockburn will now face a decision of whether to return for his senior season or declare for the 2022 NBA draft.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com