Derek Cooke

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Q: “Rumor has it you were on the shorter end in the basketball realm until late in your high school career; did you ever dream of playing before your growth spurt?”

A:  “No. I always grew up as the biggest football fan, my favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons. When watching the players I always imagined myself in one of the uniforms. Before high school I wasn’t too good at football I just played and even after getting better there were still better players so I didn’t get any college looks. Back home there isn’t too many junior colleges and they don’t have many football teams so I knew that wasn’t an option. So I got two jobs and went with that, before I knew it I was growing I had a few guys notice and started investing time in my skillset.”

Q: “Now I know you moved a lot during your early years of life, how do you think this may have prepared you for the college lifestyle?”

A:  “I think it helps a lot because a lot of guys get home sick, when they get to a point in their career when basketball isn’t working out for them and their already home sick so it just brings them down. For me with always moving I never got homesick.”

Q: “When coach Shyatt and the Cowboys offered you a scholarship what did you think to yourself?”

A: I remember coach Edwards coming into the gym and saying he was interested in me. At that point I was a D to F level player. I knew absolutely nothing about the school that was recruiting me. I was truly shocked that the school was interested in me but when I got a chance to visit the school and meet the team I knew that it was home and meant to be.

Q: “With the opportunity to play at a higher level what do you think you bring to the table for a professional team?”

A: “For a professional team I know I can bring athleticism energy and defense. It’s one thing that coach Shyatt and others have taught me. A lot of guys come into these workouts thinking they have to be the best iso player, but that’s not the case. The NBA already has a Kobe and a LeBron, they have guys like that so that’s the last of my focus. My focus is to be the best teammate or the most vocal guy and best defender and you’re bound to impress somebody.”

Q: “Who do you emulate while on the floor?”

A: “I want to say Kenneth Faried because I love his energy, he runs the floor and dunks everything, my coaches have compared me to him in the past. I also like Tristan Thompson, both guys are just full of energy like myself.”

prospect-qa-derek-cooke-jr

Prospect Q&A: Derek Cooke Jr.

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