Player: Jordan Cooper
Height: 6’0
School: Wayne Country Day
AAU: All-Carolina
2023 Jordan Cooper has been a name on the rise here in North Carolina, as one can see that the guard has been improving his game, been in the gym, and taking the necessary steps in his development as a player. As a 6’0 guard, Cooper displays a ton of athleticism and quickness with his game, adding to his perimeter game and ball-handling. Jordan, who is the younger brother of Jaden Cooper who is heading to Columbia, now has a chance to make a bigger name for himself and gave people of glimpse of what he hopes to show more this upcoming high school season at Wayne Country Day. We spoke to him about all the latest.
Player 1-on-1:
Phenom: How was this summer for you' Caught some eyes with your game, playing well with All-Carolina and your game. How has your game also grown over the last few months'
Cooper: My summer was good; I was able to play on and off the ball and I think it was important to me that I learned to lead the team as well as follow. I became more physical around the rim. I had to become more vocal for my teammates and had to put my team in a position to win.
Phenom: What are you hoping to show more this upcoming high school season'
Cooper: I think the biggest thing for me is showing that I’m gaining weight, constantly getting bigger, but also show how much of a complete player I have become, even on defense with steals and rebounds.
Phenom: Has anything been going on, recruiting-wise, for you'
Cooper: Just some interest and some camps I was invited to were canceled because of COVID and a few coaches said they want me on an unofficial this coming year.
Phenom: What schools have been reaching out'
Cooper: Mars Hill showed some interest and would like me to visit and the same for UNC-Asheville. I had an unofficial to UNCG about two months ago. North Florida came to three of my games and invited me to their camp but it was canceled due to COVID. Columbia University, where my brother went, showed some interest.
Phenom: Great start there. Have to ask how it has been watching your older brother (Jaden Cooper) go through the process and watch his game develop' What has it shown you'
Cooper: When Jaden’s coach started sending the workouts to him, I would do them along with him and when we took Jaden to move in, I got to see everything and it was kind of like an unofficial for me. It showed how much dedication it takes and watching Jaden stay up all night doing work because he was at the gym all day, showed me hard work does pay off.
Phenom: What is your excitement now stepping up, even more, this high school season'
Cooper: I’m excited about my new teammates and leading them to a championship. They are all good players and we stay together all day every day, even after school, I have them in a gym somewhere around town so we can get up shots.
What Has Been Said by Phenom Hoops:
“Given everything he’s done over the last calendar year, people should’ve already been anticipating Jordan Cooper’s breakout campaign. Well, it’s happening. Already regarded as an elite three-point shooter, Cooper showcased the full arsenal throughout our G3 Showcase. He displayed IQ, toughness, leadership, and consistently set the tone on both ends of the floor. Cooper is an exceptional defender with great quickness and anticipation, which allows him to suffocate opposing ball-handlers and force turnovers with regularity. He’s a noted off-ball threat, but showed the ability to run a team and create for himself or others with the ball in his hands. Cooper applied his usual amount of pressure from beyond the arc but also got downhill and finished or hit midrange pull-ups. Right now, Cooper is still somewhat physically underdeveloped, yet seems likely to continue growing. Should that occur, opponents should be legitimately terrified, because he will easily be amongst the top players in the state. That being said, Cooper is already a prospect who should warrant plenty of attention from scholarship-level programs.”