Prospect Spotlight: Graham Cook (2019)
It’s been two years since the last time Graham Cook played point guard. Cook was in eighth grade, playing for the San Diego Wildcats, coached by now-Golden State Warriors coach Bruce Fraser.
The 6-3 junior from La Costa Canyon guard said he’s starting to get a feel for the position again.
“Most of my life I’ve been a two, but my IQ has always kind of been there,” Cook said. “Most of the ‘feel’ stuff that I learned playing for Coach Q is starting to come back.
“I feel like I have been developing a lot, and I’ve gotten more comfortable running the team, playing the point, talking to the guys and being a leader,” Cook said.
Cook has been one of the most improved players in Southern California through the first two evaluation periods. At 6-3, he has good size and impressive length and can score off the dribble and shoot from the perimeter.
But he’s most improved at handling the ball and limiting turnovers against smaller, quicker guards.
He’s helped to ignite Gamepoint 16u Pump-N-Run’s potent offensive attack, helping to lead the team to a 13-1 record in July.
As a result, a number of Division 1 schools have taken notice, and have started recruiting Cook, including Montana, Davidson and Pepperdine. Cook says that Stanford and St. Mary’s are also monitoring his progress.
Cook said he is working to improve his weaknesses, including defending quicker guards.
“That’s going to be key at the next level, so I’m working hard to improve my lateral quickness,” he said.
With his Gamepoint team playing in the Adidas Summer Championship, Cook’s hoping to continue to impress coaches with his play.
“Above all, I want to have fun with my team and win games,” Cook said.