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.
