The transfer market received a high-profile late addition on Thursday when Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn entered the portal on deadline day for players wishing for immediate eligibility at their new schools next season. Cockburn earned second-team All-American honors from CBS Sports as a sophomore while averaging 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds for an Illini squad that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Cockburn is also going through the NBA's pre-draft process and has not withdrawn his name from professional consideration. If he does return to college basketball and transfers from Illinois, Cockburn would be one of the game's most impactful transfers in the season ahead. Though he lacks an outside shot, the 7-footer is one of the most dominant interior players in the nation.

Losing Cockburn to another school would be a tough blow for Illinois as the Illini are also losing leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu to the NBA Draft and promising young guard Adam Miller to LSU via transfer from last season's 24-7 squad. Illinois assistants Chin Coleman and Orlando Antigua also left the program for Kentucky, which has been an active force in recruiting transfers following a dismal 9-16 season.