Is Kofi Cockburn coming back to college? Why Illinois fans think center’s fake viral rumor is real originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Kofi Cockburn was an absolutely dominant center in his college career at Illinois.
Now, there are Fighting Illini fans who believe he’s coming back to play more college basketball.
Sometimes, though, things aren’t quite what they appear.
Is Kofi Cockburn coming back to college?
No, Kofi Cockburn isn’t coming back to college basketball.
This viral post made fans think that:
Kofi Cockburn, who spent three seasons with the Fighting Illini and earned 2× All-American honors, is drawing strong interest from the following programs.
• Indiana
• Dayton
• Kentucky
• Seton Hall
• Maryland
Cockburn has 2 years of eligibility.— Justin Marshall (@JMarshallCBB) December 25, 2025
That’s simply not a real post. The account makes itself out to be legitimate, but there’s nothing to suggest real reporting, and no other college basketball reporters have this news.
It’s certainly an odd thing to share on Christmas Day. Apparently nothing better to do with time than a fake post about a former Illinois center. There was actually a separate fake post about Cockburn earlier in the week, too.
Cockburn has played professionally overseas and seems likely to continue that.
Illinois would take him back if he wanted to return, though, that’s for sure.
