MAKING STRIDES
Adjusting to U.S., Jamaican gets praise, prestigious invite
KOFI Cockburn heard stories about life in the United States. The opportunity that existed and what it could mean for his future. Eight months ago, the Kingston, Jamaica, native decided he had to experience it for himself, leaving his previous life behind.
Less than a year into that new life, the decision is working out well for the 6foot-11, 245-pound center
He played on the freshman team at Christ the King in Queens, helping the Royals reach the championship while averaging a doubledouble, according to varsity coach Joe Arbitello. He’s playing on the AAU circuit with the Rens, one of the city’s premier programs, and is a starter on the 16-and-under team at the age of 15. He recently was invited to the Nike Elite 100 Camp, a showcase in St. Louis that draws the nation’s top prospects beginning on June 11. St. Louis and VCU have offered him college scholarships.
“I’m starting to achieve things I want to achieve in my life,” Cockburn said in a phone interview.
Living in Brooklyn, the transition off the court has been trying at times, but he has a strong support system intact. His mother, Dorothy Wray, moved to New York five years ago, so she prepared him for the culture shock. He spoke English back home, so there wasn’t a language barrier.
“It’s been real challenging the first couple of months,” Cockburn said.
Cockburn’s first sport growing up Kingston was soccer. He was a forward. At the age of 9, he was introduced to basketball. His brothers played the sport. As he shot up in height, Cockburn felt it was a better option.
As more coaches get to see the big man play on the AAU circuit this summer, others are expected to follow. Arbitello has been most impressed by Cockburn’s hands and footwork, qualities that usually take big men longer to master. AAU coach Chris Alesi said Cockburn reminds him of Chris Taft, his former teammate at Xaverian who starred at Pittsburgh.
“He is probably the best big kid prospect to come from New York City since Taft,” Alesi said. “He has a lot of similar qualities Taft had as a freshman, in terms of their footwork and motors and their IQ. That’s what separated Taft, and made him such a great player.”