There are many reasons kids want to play college basketball, but fulfilling dreams such as winning a National Championship and getting to the NBA have to be among the biggest. Duke senior guard Quinn Cook was able to do one of those this past season, helping Duke to a championship game win over Wisconsin. Now, he’s on the path to fulfilling the other.
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Cook, a former McDonald’s All-American, was a key member of a Duke program which won 118 games over his four seasons, including reaching the Elite Eight in 2013, and winning the title this year. He became a starter at the beginning of his sophomore season, and averaged over 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game over the next two years.
With a trio of top-rated freshmen coming in during Cook’s senior year, he stepped his game up another level, finishing the season averaging 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, mainly playing off the ball next to freshman point guard Tyus Jones. He also finished with an impressive 2.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and knocked down almost 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Including his 102 made threes this season, Cook hit 236 total in his four-year career.
Looking back on his college career, Cook can see how the choice to attend Duke has shaped him as a player and a person.
“The biggest thing I took away from my time at Duke is about the importance of preparation,” said Cook. “Success comes with preparing, and doing things like watching film, getting proper rest, and getting up shots are all important. Coach Krzyzewski is the best at teaching this.”
Krzyzewski won his 1000th college basketball game this past season, and Cook understands just how special it was to spend four years with him. “Playing for Coach was tremendous and a blessing,” Cook explained. “It’s hard not to look at him like a big star. He expects greatness, and it was tough and forced me to change, but it was the greatest four years of my life, getting to play for such a great guy.”
Heading into this past season, there was a lot of talk among the media about how Cook would adjust to playing with Jones, but Cook said it wasn’t hard. “There was really no adjustment for me, and a lot of people didn’t realize that I had shared point guard duties before with Tyler Thornton,” said Cook. “It all came down to just trusting the process and do what was best for the team.”
Adjustment or not, the process worked, with Duke winning another National Championship, the fifth under Krzyzewski. “Winning a national title is a tremendous feeling, and it shows if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it,” Cook said. “Not a lot of people believed in us, but we supported each other, and we reached our goal.”
His Duke career is behind him now, and as Cook goes through the pre-draft process, he has a strong grasp on where his strengths are as a player. “I think I can defend at a high level, having had to guard a lot of tough players, and full court if needed,” Cook explained. “I try to be like a bug out there, pestering opponents. I’ve shown I can shoot the ball, plus I’m a leader and winner. Four years under Coach teaches you what you need.”
Cook recently took part in the NBA Combine in Chicago, posting some of the best shooting numbers there, and taking away much more. “It was a great experience on and off the court,” Cook said. “You had to learn how to adjust to the NBA rules, like the 24-second shot clock, and it’s a lot to take in. Plus, it was a great learning experience about the league and the player’s union.”
Cook is busy working out in Washington, D.C., with his long-time trainer, Hanif Hill, and he has a broad plan for improving his game. “I’m working on everything,” explained Cook. “All aspects of my game can still be improved. I have a pretty good handle, and am a pretty good shooter, but I can always get better.”
With pre-draft workouts under way, Cook can see a role where he can help a team immediately. “I can provide a spark off the bench as a back-up point guard,” said Cook. “Look at a guy like Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs); he’s a true pro who’s always ready to get on the court and give his team what they need. It’s all about winning, and doing what you need to help your team get there.”
As he goes through the process, Cook has his usual strong support from former Blue Devil, and first-round NBA pick, Nolan Smith. “I’m his biggest fan, and he’s mine, and he’s helped me in so many ways,” Cook explained about Smith, who preceded Cook at both Oak Hill Academy and Duke, and wore the same number 2 on the court. “I’ve traveled in his footsteps, and his experience has helped me and showed me the way. He’s been through this already, and now he’s helping me through.”
Cook has workouts planned with teams already, including San Antonio, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Atlanta, and he figures to have more planned in the coming weeks. He is looking forward to showing teams what he’s all about and how he can benefit their organization.
“I work hard, buy in, and act as a true professional,” said Cook. “I come from a winning program, won a National title, and spent four years playing under the best in Coach Krzyzewski. I want to be the best player I can be, and want to do all I can to help my team win.”
Cook may have had doubters as he strived to reach goals that many college players have, but after watching his last four seasons, and it would be hard to bet against him achieving what he wants to accomplish next.
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