Kofi Cockburn sweeps Big Ten Player & Freshman of the Week awards

The entire country might have to learn how to pronounce his name soon too. (CO-burn, FYI.)

Illinois freshman center Kofi Cockburn swept the Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Week awards this week after posting three double-doubles during the first three games of the Illini’s homestand.

Cockburn averaged 17.7 points and 14.7 rebounds while shooting 57.9 percent as the Illini won all three games — including a monstrous 120-71 rout of Hampton on Saturday. But his personal highlight of the week came against The Citadel when Cockburn set an Illinois freshman record with 18 rebounds in a single game, ending the night with a photo with Deon Thomas. — who had the record previously.

The 7-footer is the first Big Ten player to win both awards in the same week since Michigan State’s Nick Ward in February 2017.

It’s Cockburn’s second Freshman of the Week honor this season.

Not bad. Learn how to say his name.