| Cooking a storm in the BBL - Mike Cook |
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| Wednesday, 10 February 2010 18:23 |
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Mike Cook – taking the BBL by storm!
Mike Cook is a name that anyone following BBL this season is well aware of, BasketballViews.com was honoured to have the chance to interview one of this seasons 'hottest' BBL players – find out more about the player and what makes him tick.
The 25 year old player from Philadelphia, PA has not always had things go his way during his career, but has learnt to take the rough with the smooth. During his high school years Cook played for New Hampton Prep. In New Hampton, N.H and was ranked to the top 30 of future prospects across the pond, named his league Player of the Year, his teams MVP. He averaged over 25 points and 12 rebounds per game and scored over 1800 points during his four seasons of high school basketball. After high school Cook played his college ball (NCAA) with East Carolina where he was leagues highest scoring freshman (average points per game) during his first year. During his second year he gathered an impressive six games of over 20 points and also tallied up 25 double-figure scoring games during the season. Season 2005-06 was spent (as regulated by NCAA transfer rules) by not playing in the NCAA.
Last season Cook spend playing in the D-league – where his time was restricted to coming off the bench, before eventually being released by his team. For this season Mike Cook made the trek across the pond to come and play in the British BBL league with Sheffield Sharks – and has already added the BBL Cup to his achievements over there.
BV : Hello Mike and thank you for agreeing to do this interview with us!
BV : What made you choose basketball as your choice of game, when you were younger?
MC : Having both of my parents playing the game (Mother Dawn played for Temple between 79-83 and still ranking as one of the schools top rebounders) and my uncle Wright had his own gym – so these were the three people who made me fall in love with the game.
BV : While playing in the NCAA – you had a season ending knee injury in December 2007 – how did this affect you as a player.
MC : Well, I was unable to play the game for two years on the level that I knew I needed to be at to progress on my career – and that was mainly because of my conditioning. I want to sincerely thank my trainers at Pitt, who all did an excellent job with operating and rehabilitating my knee. After this I knew it was up to me to get myself back in shape, which after some hard work I have been able to achieve. So currently the injury has no more effect on my game.
BV : After the injury, when making your come-back to the game, you were hoping to get a 'medical-redshirt' which would have abled you to play for another season in NCAA – in hindsight, would you say that the NCAA's refusal to give you one has made your career go forward quicker/slower than if the decision would have been a positive one?
MC : Honestly – I left the matter in God's hand. My main worry at the time was to get my knee back to 100% health. Looking back on it, I do think that if I would have been allowed that extra year in NCAA, I would probably have been getting more exposure that is needed to progress in the game – in comparison to just having to sit at home and continued to wait to get back in the game.
BV : Last season you made your come-back and played in the D-League for Erie Bay Hawks. You were used mainly as a player coming off the bench during your ten game spell there. How did you find that role to be?
MC : The situation in Erie was always going to be tough on me, because it was the first time I was playing since my knee-injury. It was only a week after I had finished my rehabilitation that I was called onto the training-camp. So I probably was not at 100% at that moment in time. Coming off from the bench to join the game was tough, especially with the way I was able to play when I got the game-time on court. But the whole experience has just made a tougher person.
BV : You were eventually released from Erie Bay Hawks in January last year – how did you fill the rest of the season?
MC : Firstly there was a shock at being released, as in my own view I thought I was playing well. But after being released, it took about a week and I realised that I just needed to keep myself in shape, just incase there was a chance to play again during the season. And every time the team said no or that they were not interested, it just pushed me to work harder to keep in shape and to improve my game.
BV : You have played in few leagues during your career (NCAA, D-league and BBL) – what sort of differences do you see between the different leagues?
MC : To be fair, at the moment basketball is not that big of a sport in the UK, so it does not enjoy the same amount of spectators – or financial support for the team or for the venue if you compare it to the way that things run in the NCAA and D-League. But hopefully in couple of years things will have turned around over here as well and these issues will improve in the BBL as well.
BV : You came to play in the BBL for this season, with the Sheffield Sharks. How did this opportunity rise and what was your main motivation to move in to the team/league?
MC : It all came about as Sharks coach Atiba Lyons saw me playing at a camp that my agent had arranged in Orlando, FLA. For me it really was an easy decision to come to play for Sharks in the BBL, because they literally were the only team in the world who were willing to take a chance on me.
BV : This being your first season in the BBL – what have you made of the league over in UK so far?
MC : The level of play in the league has really surprised me since arriving here. There are a lot of people who talk down on the level of play in BBL – but there are really some good and talented guys playing in this league and I think people are starting to realise that as the season has been progressing. I also know that if I do not go out there every night, ready to play and give 100% - I could get embarrassed on the court.
BV : Do you see the BBL as a good 'window' for the bigger leagues in Europe?
MC : Yes, that is definetly true. Like I mentioned before, the league is really tough and competitive here, and every night that I go out there I am just trying to prove that I got what it takes to be playing out there on the highest level of the game.
BV : You have moved to Sheffield, how have you settled with your new home town and team?
MC : I am settling in here real well, everyone here in the team is really close and it almost like a family atmosphere. So yes, it has been easy for me to fit in here.
BV : What about your own role with-in the Sharks team?
MC : I guess that would be to act as the playmaker. I know the team look to me to make the right plays, just like I would look to them to make the right plays in return. The Sharks are fortunate to have so many great players in their roster, so everyone can feel comfortable at being the 'main guy' This makes it easier for everyone in the team.
BV : Your form with the Sharks in the BBL has been impressive this season – what do you yourself see as being the main reason for this?
MC : Maybe it is because I have really been looking forward to getting back on the court once again, and to have the chance to prove to everyone that I have what it takes to play at the high level of the game.
BV : With yourself being such a visible player, the opponents sometimes take extra measures to guard you – how do you personally deal with this game by game?
MC : I really just go out there on the court and play the game, if the other team is so focused on stopping me – then I know my teammates will make them pay for it. Which actually is exactly what they have been doing all season long. For the other team to guard against me, it just makes the game so much easier for my team.
BV : How about your personal ambitions in the game, where does Mike Cook see himself playing in two years time. Do you see one of the major European leagues (Spain, Italy..) as a goal for yourself, or as you are still relatively young – would you see it possible that the name Mike Cook will one day feature on the roster of an NBA team?
MC : Yes, it is always my goal and a great motivator to be able to play in the best leagues and the highest levels of the game. Of course NBA would be a dream come true for me, but I honestly have not thought about the coming seasons during my time here in Sheffield. It is a question that people often come and ask me, but it is not something that I personally spend any time thinking about at the moment.
MC : I always looked up to my parents when I was growing up, and like I said before – they both played the game at a high level (Division I) – so whatever they told me about the game. I soaked it all in and learned from it.
BV : What is the most memorable moment of your playing career so far?
MC : Unfortunately it has to be getting injured during my senior college career in the game against Duke, it is something that I will never be able to forget.
BV : Name the TOP5 players you have personally played with?
MC : Mustafa Shakur, Danny Rumph (R.I.P), Mike Cuffee, Hakim Warrick and Levance Fields. (BV's note – please have a look at the Daniel E Rumph II foundation website at : http://www.derii.org/)
BV : How about the TOP5 players in the BBL at the moment?
MC : Ryan Patton, Tafari Toney, Mike Tuck, Matt Gorman and Todd Cauthorne (BV's note – very Sharks orientated TOP5)
BV : How about the strengths and weakness' of your own game?
MC : For the strengths – I would way that my mid-range game, as well as my body and ball handling. As for weakness' right now I would think that every part of my game is a weakness, I can always improve in all aspects of my game.
BV : The Sharks just won the BBL Cup and are sitting top of the BBL Championship – although you were knocked out of the BBL Trophy. What are the goals for the team during the second half of the season?
MC : At the moment we are just focusing on staying there on the first place of the league table – and of course winning the Championship at the end of the season.
BV : 2009-10 is your first season of playing b-ball 'across the pond' – what sort of things do you miss from back home?
MC : Just my family, my girlfriend and all of my friends. In general just miss being around everyone.
BV : With games in the BBL almost every week, do you have any opportunities to visit home during the season?
MC : Unfortunately no, during the season there is no time to go and visit home.
BV : If you would have to give one advice for a youngster, wanting to make a career out of basketball, what would that be?
MC : Always remember that there is someone out there who is better – so never stop working hard.
BV : And a little lighter question to the end, during the games – sometimes amusing this happen on the court/court-side. What would be the most memorable incident that you can remember?
MC : It has to be one time at college, when a guy got fouled and started to bleed from his head – but the referee did not call the foul. So the fouled players brother walks down from the stands and got in the referees face while the other team was shooting free-throws...
BV : On that amusing note, thank you very much for your time Mike – and we sincerely wish you all the best with the remainder of the BBL season, as well as where-ever your career might take you from now on.
MIKE COOK
Name : Mike Cook D.O.B : 17th Match 1984 Place of birth : Philadelphia, PA Playing position : Guard / Forward
Career History : 2009- current Sheffield Sharks, BBL 2008-09 Erie Bay Hawks, D-League 2006-08 Pitt (Pittsburgh) NCAA 2005-06 Did Not Play (under the transfer rules of NCAA) 2003 – 2005 East Carolina (NCAA)
Season Averages : (points – rebounds – assists) 2003-04 : 10.4 / 3.5 / 3.1 2004-05 : 15.0/ 4.0 / 3.0 2006-07 : 10.5 / 3.4 / 2.6 2007-08 : 10.4 / 2.8 / 2.6 2008-09 : 8.6 / 1.5 / 0.8
All text and Images © Ville Vuorinen / BasketballViews.com / X-it Sports Photography Copying / Printing / Use of any of the material NOT permitted without a written permission from Ville Vuorinen / BasketballViews.com
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Before making his appearance for Pitt in 2006-07 season, during which he was commented as being 'an exceptional passer and creative scorer' , he was also ranked 15
BV : As a young player – which player would you say was your biggest role-model?