A FUTURE NBA talent, destined to be part of a golden Australian generation?
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Well, it might just happen for US College star Xavier Cooks, according to his Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey.
Cooks is back in the home comforts of the Snakepit, in the middle of football season, to play a pre-season game against the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks on Tuesday night, just hours after landing from America.
But Kelsey admits Cooks is poised to join Andre Bogut, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Ben Simmons and Matthew Dellavedova in the elite ranks.
For now, it’s a dream come true for Cooks, when he returns to Wollongong, as part of a national tour, playing where he grew up around his father and Illawarra Hawks assistant coach Eric Cooks.
And yet it is because of Xavier’s remarkable talent which has helped Winthrop arrive in the Illawarra, before competing at the World University Games in Taipei, starting on August 20.
"I've coached many NBA players and I can say without hesitation that Xavier Cooks can be the next to be added to that group," coach Pat Kelsey told the Winthrop website. "He's a special talent and possibly the best to ever put on a Winthrop uniform. From the day I met him he told me his dream is to represent Australia in the Olympics.
“His appointment to the World University team is a step in that direction. He is on the Boomers’ radar as he should be.”
Cooks is one of eight collegiate players to make up the roster, which consists of players all under the age of 25. This past season at Winthrop, Cooks was an All-Big South First Team selection and set career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and free throws made.
Australia play five games at the World University Games, Ukraine, Lithuania, Israel, Russia and Mozambique.
Cooks said he was looking forward to the challenge on the international stage.
"I am super excited to play on this team," Cooks said. "It is always an honor to put on the green and gold and represent your country and I'm getting the chance to do that.”
- PRE-SEASON TRIAL
- Tuesday (7.30pm)
ILLAWARRA HAWKS v WINTHROP COLLEGE
Snakepit