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A familiar face made his return to Champaign over the weekend. Chicago Bulls guard and former Illini basketball star Ayo Dosunmu met with fans on Saturday at the Gameday Spirit Store on Neil Street. People lined up for pictures and autographs with the Illini great.
Kofi Cockburn, a 7-foot, 285-pound center, has done everything but come right out and say that he's remaining in the 2021 NBA Draft and won't be returning to Champaign. The Jamaica native made a post on Instagram on Tuesday with a heartfelt caption, signaling that his time with the Illini is over. "Extremely happy to have been apart of and represented a program like this, I enjoyed every single day I spent in Champaign and I am proud of the growth I had while I was there, words can't express how much I love the Illini and I wouldn't trade that part of my journey for the world," Cockburn wrote.
Illinois' Meyers Leonard may have had an enigmatic career in Champaign, but he was impressive last week in workouts. His agility and versatility on the floor and his overall aggressive play were a hit. Leonard has to interview well and he'll shoot up the draft boards.
Freeman’s change in appearance also reflects the reality that has changed for a player who was named a McDonald’s All-American as a senior in high school but now is working just to prove to NBA teams that he’s a viable second-round selection. “Anywhere, as long as I get picked,” Freeman said of where he’s likely to go, “just to be able to come in and help my team win, in any way possible.” Freeman worked out for the Wizards alongside Illinois forward and Alexandria native Mike Davis (T.C. Williams), Talor Battle (Penn State), Papa Dia (SMU), Justin Hurtt (Tulsa) and Ravern Johnson (Mississippi State). "It's different from Champaign, a little old town, just flat hills and nothing really there," said Davis, a long, athletic forward who averaged 12. 5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a senior for the Illini. "Being back in the city and close to home is awesome. There's nothing like it."
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