D.J. Cooper Class of 2009

[tropicalshox]

We appear to be a late entry in the hunt for D.J. Cooper, a 5-10 point guard from Seaton Hall Academy in Chicago. He has already taken a visit to Kent State. Ohio is scheduled on the weekend of the 20th and WSU on the 27th. Earlier articles on Cooper did not mention WSU. Loyola Chicago has also offered but perhaps is not being considered at this time. Baylor is still in the race but has not offered.

Cooper is a 3 star on both Rivals and Scout. He is the 21st ranked point guard by Scout. ChicagoHoops.com has him ranked at #12 in Illinois for the 2009 class.

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?highlight=wichita&CID=849162

[tropicalshox]

In mid-July Illinoisbasketball.com had Baylor, New Orleans and Buffalo also offering and interest from Providence and Marquette.

http://illinoishsbasketball.com/

[tropicalshox]

This is just a few highlights of Cooper but up against a good team...Oak Hill.

http://www.hoopsreport.com/video_player_full.php?m=235&hoopsLoop=1&pauseStart=0&pauseEnd=1

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Kent State is the favorite. He has visited Baylor and Loyola also. He may still visit Ohio.

[tropicalshox]

A Scout article said he is visiting Ohio this weekend and WSU the next.

[tropicalshox]

He said Kent State was his favorite right after his visit to them. It's been 10 days and he hasn't pulled the trigger and has announced travel dates to Ohio and WSU. A Baylor writer seem to think Cooper is only an outside chance of committing to the Bears.

Chances are pretty good he will follow through on his WSU visit and if he does, I expect him to be a Shocker.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Apparently he was impressed with WSU. He is going to visit here, and if he does, I also would expect a commitment. Look for him to possibly postpone Ohio visit. It appears it is a 2 horse race.

Issue is, Kent St. is hard on him, and plans on getting his commitment before his visit to WSU.

They are some pretty smart cats up at Kent St.

:goshocks:

[wu_shizzle]

A little pub from earlier this year.

http://illinoishsbasketball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=1

[tropicalshox]

D.J. has said he is definitely going on the Ohio visit this weekend.

Ohio received a solid verbal from another point guard a few days ago, Randal Holt from Ohio.

[wu_shizzle]

http://www.kansas.com/250/story/536210.html

Cooper, ranked the No. 21 point guard in the nation by Scout.com, is versatile enough to play shooting guard. ESPN.com's recruiting analysts compare him to former Duke star Johnny Dawkins because he "has three-point range beyond the arc and, though he is a point guard by size, he does have a scoring mentality."

ESPN Profile

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Rumor was that with Holt committing he was probably not going to visit. He still went. Looking forward to his WSU visit. He reportedly asked a certain person on his visit about WSU. No info on what the persons response was. :goshocks:

[Snapshot9]

I could understand it better if it was for the 2010/2011 season instead 2009/2010 season, considering the guards we will have for the 2009/2010 season, even if we play a 3 guard set. I would rather see a good 3 shooting 3 or a 5 than another guard for next year.

I can appreciate the 'defensive' mindset, cause it is important, I just don't want to get stops and then fail to score like we did last year. Defense can be taught a lot more than Offense can be.

[shockmonster]

You make it sound like you think that offense is a problem? It doesn't sound from what I've read like offense is a weakness for him when it is needed. Maybe you know something that others don't.

[rrshock]

I think coach is recruiting the best players possible. This kid is the #21 pg in the country. He ought to be pretty good.

[tropicalshox]

I totally agree with rrshock. He will be a great addition. Good offense, tough defender. We will be very strong at the guard positions with good depth for at least two years.