Derek Cooke

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Derek Cooke

| image = Derek Cooke 4.jpg

| caption = Cooke in December 2017

| position = Power forward / center

| height_m = 2.06

| weight_kg = 100

| league = LBA

| team = Pistoia Basket 2000

| number = 10

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1991|8|23}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.

| high_school = Friendly
(Fort Washington, Maryland)

| college =

Cloud County CC (2011–2012)
Wyoming (2012–2015)

| draft_year = 2015

| career_start = 2015

| years1 = 2015

| team1 = Rethymno Cretan Kings

| years2 = 2015–2017

| team2 = Bakersfield Jam / Northern Arizona Suns

| years3 = 2017–2018

| team3 = Perth Wildcats

| years4 = 2018–2019

| team4 = Northern Arizona Suns

| years5 = 2019

| team5 = Raptors 905

| years6 = 2019

| team6 = Hamilton Honey Badgers

| years7 = 2019–2020

| team7 = Trieste

| years8 = 2020

| team8 = Hamilton Honey Badgers

| years9 = 2021

| team9 = Tsmoki-Minsk

| years10 = 2021

| team10 = Brose Bamberg

| years11 = 2021–2022

| team11 = Hapoel Gilboa Galil

| years12 = 2022–2023

| team12 = Treviso Basket

| years13 = 2023

| team13 = Skyliners Frankfurt

| years14 = 2023–2024

| team14 = Dolomiti Energia Trento

| years15 = 2024

| team15 = Força Lleida

| years16 = 2025–present

| team16 = Pistoia Basket 2000

| highlights =

}}

Derek Vincent Cooke Jr. (born August 23, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Pistoia Basket 2000 of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played three years of Division I college basketball for Wyoming.

High school career

Cooke attended Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Maryland, where he was a wide receiver on the football team and did not play basketball. An NCAA qualifier after graduating, he decided to take a year off from school and also hit a growth spurt, before enrolling at Cloud County Community College to play basketball.{{cite web|url=http://www.gowyo.com/sport/m-baskbl/2016/roster/5773e8dde4b0bdd131abc0f4|title=Bio for Derek Cooke Jr.|work=GoWyo.com|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927033705/http://www.gowyo.com/sport/m-baskbl/2016/roster/5773e8dde4b0bdd131abc0f4|archive-date=September 27, 2016|url-status=dead}}

College career

Cooke spent one year at Cloud County CC. During his freshman season, he helped the Thunderbirds to a 25–8 overall record. Cloud County went 11–5 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference and advanced to the semifinals of the NJCAA Division I Region VI Tournament. Cooke notched team highs of 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 55 percent from the floor to go with 6.0 points and nearly one steal per game.

In 2012, Cooke transferred to Wyoming. During his senior season, Cooke averaged 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while helping the Cowboys reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.{{cite web|url=http://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/mbb/former-wyoming-forward-derek-cooke-jr-signs-with-greek-professional/article_fb1b507f-abb4-56d5-8a0e-c78caff2040b.html|title=Former Wyoming forward Derek Cooke Jr. signs with Greek professional team|date=June 24, 2015|work=Trib.com|access-date=November 6, 2015}}

Professional career

=Rethymno Cretan Kings (2015)=

After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, on June 25, 2015, Cooke signed with the Rethymno Cretan Kings of the Greek Basket League.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/165453/rethymno-announces-rookie-derek-cooke.html|title=Rethymno announces rookie Derek Cooke|date=June 25, 2015|work=Sportando.com|access-date=November 2, 2015}} However, he parted ways with the club in late October after appearing in just three games.

=Northern Arizona Suns (2015–2017)=

On November 2, 2015, he was acquired by the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League.{{cite web|url=http://bakersfield.dleague.nba.com/news/jam-announce-2015-16-training-camp-roster/|title=Jam Announce 2015-16 Training Camp Roster|date=November 2, 2015|work=NBA.com|access-date=November 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811060332/http://bakersfield.dleague.nba.com/news/jam-announce-2015-16-training-camp-roster/|archive-date=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In July 2016, Cooke joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2016 NBA Summer League. On September 25, 2016, he signed with the Suns,{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-sign-four-players-ahead-training-camp|title=Phoenix Suns Sign Four Players ahead of Training Camp|work=NBA.com|date=September 25, 2016|access-date=September 25, 2016}} but was waived on October 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-waive-three-players-trim-preseason-roster|title=Phoenix Suns Waive Three Players to Trim Preseason Roster|work=NBA.com|date=October 10, 2016|access-date=October 10, 2016}} On October 31, 2016, he was acquired by the Northern Arizona Suns as an affiliate player of Phoenix.{{cite web|url=http://northernarizona.dleague.nba.com/news/northern-arizona-suns-set-training-camp-roster/|title=Northern Arizona Suns Set Training Camp Roster|work=NBA.com|date=October 31, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221183423/http://northernarizona.dleague.nba.com/news/northern-arizona-suns-set-training-camp-roster/|url-status=dead}}

=Perth Wildcats (2017–2018)=

On July 27, 2017, Cooke signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2017–18 NBL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/featured-news/wildcats-sign-derek-cooke-junior-complete-roster/|title=WILDCATS SIGN DEREK COOKE JUNIOR TO COMPLETE ROSTER|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=July 27, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730022315/http://www.wildcats.com.au/featured-news/wildcats-sign-derek-cooke-junior-complete-roster/|url-status=dead}} He appeared in all 30 games for the Wildcats in 2017–18, averaging 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

=Second stint with Northern Arizona Suns (2018–2019)=

Cooke re-joined the Northern Arizona Suns in October 2018.{{cite web |last1=Withee |first1=Jacob |title=NAZ Suns Announce 2018-19 Training Camp Roster |url=https://northernarizona.gleague.nba.com/news/naz-suns-announce-2018-19-training-camp-roster/ |website=NBA.com |access-date=October 22, 2018 |date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326071740/https://northernarizona.gleague.nba.com/news/naz-suns-announce-2018-19-training-camp-roster/ |url-status=dead }}

=Raptors 905 (2019)=

On January 15, 2019, the Raptors 905 acquired Cooke from the Northern Arizona Suns for Khadeem Lattin and the returning rights to Yanick Moreira.{{cite web|title=Raptors 905 Acquire Derek Cooke Jr.|url=https://raptors905.gleague.nba.com/news/raptors-905-acquire-derek-cooke-jr|date=January 15, 2019|website=NBA.com|access-date=January 15, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200915/https://raptors905.gleague.nba.com/news/raptors-905-acquire-derek-cooke-jr/|url-status=dead}}

=Hamilton Honey Badgers (2019)=

After the conclusion of the 2018–19 NBA G League season, Cooke was drafted into the startup Canadian Elite Basketball League's Hamilton Honey Badgers,{{cite web|title=Hamilton Honey Badger's head coach breaks down the CEBL draft|url=https://www.chch.com/hamilton-honey-badgers-head-coach-chantal-vallee-breaks-down-cebl-draft/|website=CHCH|access-date=April 29, 2019|date=March 25, 2019}} where he would reunite with former Raptors 905 teammates, MiKyle McIntosh and Duane Notice.

=Pallacanestro Trieste (2019–2020)=

On July 14, 2019, he has signed with Pallacanestro Trieste of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/derek-cooke-jr-signs-with-trieste/|title=Derek Cooke Jr. signs with Trieste|date=July 14, 2019|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 23, 2019|last1=Lupo |first1=Nicola }}

=Canadian Elite Basketball League (2020)=

In July 2020, Cooke joined the Hamilton Honey Badgers for the 2020 CEBL season.{{cite web |title=Honey Badgers Turn to NBA, Top International Experience in Quest to Take Next Step to CEBL Championship |url=https://www.honeybadgers.ca/honey-badgers-turn-to-nba-top-international-experience-in-quest-to-take-next-step-to-cebl-championship |publisher=honeybadgers.ca |date=July 24, 2020 }}

=Tsmoki-Minsk (2021)=

On January 2, 2021, he signed with Tsmoki-Minsk of the VTB United League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/derek-cooke-jr-signs-with-tsmoki-minsk/|title=Derek Cooke Jr. signs with Tsmoki-Minsk|date=January 2, 2021|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=January 2, 2021|last1=Lupo |first1=Nicola }}

=Brose Bamberg (2021)=

On July 30, 2021, he signed with Brose Bamberg of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/brose-bamberg-lands-derek-cooke-jr/|title=Brose Bamberg lands Derek Cooke jr

|first1=Emiliano}}

=Hapoel Gilboa Galil (2021–2022)=

On October 25, 2021, he signed with Hapoel Gilboa Galil of the Israeli Premier League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/hapoel-galil-gilboa-reportedly-close-to-sign-derek-cooke-jr/|title=Hapoel Galil Gilboa reportedly close to sign Derek Cooke Jr|last=|first=|date=October 25, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=November 18, 2021|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

=Treviso Basket (2022–2023)=

On July 21, 2022, he has signed with Treviso Basket of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/treviso-signs-derek-cooke/|title=Nutribullet Treviso adds Derek Cooke jr|last=|first=|date=July 21, 2022|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 8, 2022|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}

=Skyliners Frankfurt (2023)=

On February 28, 2023, he signed with Skyliners Frankfurt of the Basketball Bundesliga.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/derek-cooke-leaves-treviso-to-sign-with-skyliners/|title=Derek Cooke leaves Treviso to sign with Skyliners|last=|first=|date=February 28, 2023|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=February 28, 2023 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}

=Aquila Basket Trento (2023–2024)=

On August 5, 2023, he signed with Dolomiti Energia Trento of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite web|url=https://www.aquilabasket.it/news/502005140998/ecco-derek-cooke-jr|title=Ecco Derek Cooke Jr|last=|first=|date=August 5, 2023|website=aquilabasket.it|publisher=|language=it|access-date=August 12, 2023}}

=Força Lleida (2024)=

On September 12, 2024, Cooke signed with the Força Lleida of the Liga ACB.{{cite web |title=Derek Cooke arriba al Hiopos Lleida |url=https://flleida.cat/derek-cooke-arriba-al-hiopos-lleida/ |website=Força Lleida |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=September 12, 2024}} On December 9, 2024, his contract was terminated.{{cite web |title=El Força Lleida i Derek Cooke arribem a un acord de rescissió de contracte |url=https://flleida.cat/el-forca-lleida-i-derek-cooke-arribem-a-un-acord-de-rescissio-de-contracte/ |website=Força Lleida |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=December 9, 2024}}

=Pistoia Basket 2000 (2025–present)=

On January 1, 2025, Cooke signed with the Pistoia Basket 2000 of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{cite web |title=Estra Pistoia Basket firma Derek Cooke Jr |url=https://www.pistoiabasket2000.com/home/estra-pistoia-basket-firma-derek-cooke-jr/ |website=Pistoia Basket 2000 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=January 1, 2025}}

References

External links

[http://stats.nbadleague.com/player/#!/1627496/ NBDL profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160927033705/http://www.gowyo.com/sport/m-baskbl/2016/roster/5773e8dde4b0bdd131abc0f4 Wyoming Cowboys bio]
[http://www.wildcats.com.au/perth-wildcats/cooke-jr-takes-unique-road-pro-basketball/ "Cooke Jr paves unique path to pro basketball"]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at wildcats.com.au
[https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/perth-brings-key-wildcat-derek-cooke-jnr-peace-of-mind-ng-b88760190z "Perth brings key Wildcat Derek Cooke Jnr 'peace of mind'"] at thewest.com.au

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Belarus

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Bakersfield Jam players

Category:Basketball players from Washington, D.C.