Recruiting Report: Amari Cooper (2018)
Wakefield High School had an impressive 2016-17 season finishing with a 22-6 overall record. Unfortunately, they lost in the state championship to Bethel. It’s becoming a feeling that rising senior Amari Cooper knows all too well.
Cooper has now lost twice in the state championship. You’d be foolish to think that a couple of failures would keep him down, though. The 6’4 combo guard is more motivated then ever to take his game to the next level so he can reach his ultimate goal next season.
Cooper averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, and two steals for the Warriors. With his athleticism, Cooper shines out in the open floor with the ability to finish lobs. His length enables him to finish in traffic over big men in the half court as well. Defensively, Cooper is active and does well with anticipating a play when it’s one or two passes away. On weakside rotations, he does a great job timing the opposition’s shot, which results in a ton of blocks.
This spring/summer, Cooper will be playing with Mid Atlantic Select’s 17U team. Throughout that span, he told me he wants to focus on implementing a mid-range shot into his game. Because he is primarily a driver, he noticed that his match ups would often sag off of him to protect the paint. If Cooper can develop a consistent shot, it’ll give opposing coaches nightmares.
Cooper told me he doesn’t hold any offers at the moment, but is garnering interest from Central Connecticut State, Lipscomb, and Lafayette.
“Playing style means most to me. I don’t want to be one of those guys that just say ‘hey I’m going Division I,'” Cooper told PrepHoops. “I want to find the right college that fits me and that I can make an impact on immediately.”
He plans on taking his SAT in June of this year and his ACT in June or July. Cooper currently has a 3.1 cumulative GPA.
I asked Cooper what he will bring to the college he ends up committing to down the road:
“On the court, I bring a toughness and mindset that not a lot of kids have these days. I primarily focus on my defense. Offense is going to come, you know. I score easily. But defense is what gets kids to these high levels. Off the court, I’m really humble. I don’t like to brag about what I have. I like to just chill out and focus on my academics a lot. Most likely, I’m going to be majoring in business.”
Feature image courtesy of The Wakefield Cheftain