Utah Jazz are quickly filling out their summer league roster

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Josh Carlton #25 of the Houston Cougars defends in the second half of the game during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Josh Carlton #25 of the Houston Cougars defends in the second half of the game during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 20: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the ball during the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 20: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the ball during the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Kofi Cockburn – Illinois center

Kofi Cockburn had a fantastic career at Illinois, where he averaged 17 and 10 over a three year career, and while he does have some severe limitations on offense, his feel for the game, size and athletic ability will always give him a chance to succeed, no matter what level of basketball he is playing. With those three years under his belt, he is more than experienced enough to step into an NBA role, but if the Jazz want to bring him along slowly as a potential successor, or depth piece to replace Rudy Gobert if they move on from him, then they may have themselves a great player for the future in Cockburn.

His range in college never really expanded, so the Jazz will either need to live with his power and explosive athletic ability if they want to bring him along, or have him play in the G-League and try to expand the range, which could make him an incredibly valuable piece off the bench. All of this may be a bit premature, but for now, Cockburn impressed in his interviews with the Utah Jazz, and has earned himself a Summer League invite, and if he can impress again on the court against the NBA’s brightest young players, he may be in line for a full time roster spot with the Jazz down the line.