The Virginia Cavaliers have seven new faces on their 2024-25 roster, one of which being exciting freshman big man Jacob Cofie.
A 6-foot-10, 232 pound forward from Seattle, Washington, Cofie was a four-star prospect coming out of Eastside Catholic School where he averaged 21.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.9 steals and 2.3 blocks per contest in 2023-24.
Cofie — who was named the 2024 Max Preps Player of the Year for the state of Washington — will have a lot of work to do to earn minutes in a crowded UVA frontcourt. But Head Coach Ron Sanchez indicated last week that “there’s no discussion of redshirting anyone” at this time, meaning Cofie will get his shot to carve out a role this season.
Here’s what Cofie brings to the table for the ’Hoos:
Versatility
At 6-foot-10, 232 pounds, Cofie has the size and strength to matchup with ACC centers, but also the quickness and mobility to check stretch fours. Coach Sanchez indicated that Cofie will get time at both the four and the five this season, providing an element of versatility matched only by San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders in this Virginia frontcourt.
Offensively, Cofie has an extremely polished inside game. He has good hands and a plethora of moves to work with from both the high and low post. While not the most prominent aspect of his game, Cofie can also spread the floor and knock down shots from outside.
Cofie’s athleticism doesn’t jump off the charts, and he’s more comfortable playing in a half-court offense, but his ability to play multiple positions is a huge plus.
Physicality
Cofie relied heavily on his size advantage in high school, often simply overpowering defenders or knocking down uncontested shots over top of them. Things obviously aren’t going to come quite as easily in the college game.
“The biggest transition for me,” Cofie said at media day last week, “is that the game is a lot faster, and getting used to how big the players are, and the elevation of the game. Like people being able to knock down threes so well, and being able to guard every position, I feel like that’s a huge change.”
Nevertheless, Cofie’s frame is certainly ACC ready, and he showed in high school an elite ability to stay grounded and use his strength to keep opposing bigs in front of him on the defensive end.
On the offensive end, Cofie excels at finishing through contact at the rim, something he put on display in the Blue-White Scrimmage with a baseline drive right through the chest of TJ Power that he finished with a two-handed slam.
Role
Preseason murmurings seem to indicate that Cofie might have a slight edge on redshirt freshman Anthony Robinson for backup center minutes behind sophomore Blake Buchanan.
Whether that’s true or not, Cofie is a guy that Ron Sanchez can plug into a variety of spots. He can play the four alongside Buchanan or Robinson if the ’Hoos want to roll out a bigger lineup and he makes a perfect small-ball five if Virginia is looking for more shooting and spacing.
The one thing we know for certain is that Cofie will be given his chance to carve out a role early on. Coach Sanchez said plainly at his presser on Monday that UVA is “going to need everyone” to be successful this season, and a smooth transition to the collegiate game for Cofie would certainly be a major indicator of a successful campaign for UVA.
