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Kofi Cockburn will miss the first three games of the season after the NCAA said he sold school-issued apparel and memorabilia in June.
According to a news release Monday afternoon, the Illini big man was selling the items before July 1 when the state of Illinois and the NCAA enacted new NIL legislation making such sales permissible.
Officials said Cockburn will also repay the amount generated from selling apparel by making a donation to a charity of his choice.
A junior, Cockburn was named last week Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. He will miss games against Jackson State (Nov. 9), Arkansas State (Nov. 12) and at Marquette (Nov. 15).
He will be able to practice with the team during the suspension, the release said.