Mark Gokavi's article in today's DDN quotes Cook's old HS coach and advisor, Al Powell, as saying Cook is definitely gone:
"Even though it's a harder road, he's determined to stay in it," said Powell, a family friend and Dunbar High School assistant coach who will accompany Cook to the workouts. "Daequan is going to the NBA, whether it's the first or second round...He wants to go to the NBA, one way or another. He wants to do well in the interview and workout process. This is not a test the waters (situation)."
Apparently, Cook already has workouts set up with at least 15 teams following the NBA pre-draft camp held the last week of May in Orlando, FL including the Heat, Pistons, Suns, Spurs and Lakers.
"It's amazing," the Ohio State freshman said with a chuckle. "I had a great season. I had a couple downfalls here and there, but I'm still able to go out and allow these teams to see what I'm capable of doing. It's just great to see the teams that never gave up on me. "Once I heard the teams that were looking at me, that made me feel a lot more comfortable."
Quan's a little overboard calling it 'amazing', but I find it interesting that a few of the NBA elite want to take a closer look. They obviously see the raw physical talent and it makes sense that a team not banking on their top draft pick to contribute next year could take a gamble on Cook and his 10 cent head. I know he pissed us off down the stretch but I wish the guy the best and hope his advisors are right about their meal ticket.
Comments
"great season" is what jumps out at me. He is ready for the nba if he thinks that was a great freshman season. Then a great rookie season would consist of a couple points, a couple boards, an assist, and a couple turnovers per game.
Have fun in the developmental league. In about 5 years, we'll all be saying "Whatever happened to D. Cook?"
white people dominate the NBA.
honky out
Here is a bookmark for next year Daequan
http://www.nba.com/dleague/
Your name will soon be amongst the league's best.
I must be an idiot but I still think there's a chance he could find his way into a team's 8 man rotation in a few years.
Everyone knows white people can't play basketball, at least not unless their canadian like me.
I beg to differ!
I agree Chris, i see D.Cook as a Ray Allen type player, with the height he gets on his jump shots. However, I would love to see him stick around and play for the Buckeyes over the next year or so, versus playing in the D-League. He will be in someone's rotation in three years, once he gets his defense down. I am still going to cheer for him. I just wish his high school coach would shut-up. Did anyone visit Daequan's website? Pretty funny stuff.
He just needs to work hard and he will make it. His talent is enough to get him a look, but that's not enough to get paid. Ray Allen was a go to guy in college and that pressure benefited him at the next level. DC would be the go to guy next year if he stays. I just want to see him with extended minutes in a pressure role. I think he could be better under those circumstances, but the fear of the unknown is there.
I'm sure watching him work out is impressive, but the jump from college backup to the grind of 80 games in the nba will be tough on him.
As a Cavs fan, I wouldn't want them to draft him. Occasionally a project-guy turns out (ie. Sasha Pavlovic), but most of the time if you draft a project he doesn't turn out (ie. Luke Jackson) or he doesn't become effective until he is on another team (ie. Jason Kapono).
What is the NBA?
A fantasy world where basketball has fans after college.