Prospect Spotlight: Marquis “Mookie” Cook (2023 Jefferson HS)
The time is now. After quite a bit of anticipation, Marquis “Mookie” Cook has officially arrived at Jefferson High School. The now 6-foot-7, 190-pound swingman played his very first high school game on Wednesday night for the Demos and while…
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Continue ReadingThe time is now. After quite a bit of anticipation, Marquis “Mookie” Cook has officially arrived at Jefferson High School. The now 6-foot-7, 190-pound swingman played his very first high school game on Wednesday night for the Demos and while it was a solid performance for Cook, there’s plenty more to come for the freshman who’s already started to rack up some early college scholarship offers.
“It could have went a little better, but we came out with the win and that’s all that matters,” Cook said. “I thought I played good. I thought I could have contributed more with offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds but besides that I thought I played good.”
Cook didn’t start the game as he had recently missed practice. But when he got on the court he certainly made his presence felt. Cook ended up stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block, shooting 5-for-11 from the field and hitting both free throw attempts. For his points, while he went 0-for-2 from three-point range, he did hit a catch-and-shoot mid-range jumper. A couple of other buckets were also off the catch, where he displayed his athleticism by making adjustments in mid-air before putting the ball in the hoop.
It was all part of a balanced Demos attack as five guys finished in double figures in scoring. “I think we’re going to gel together and play together as a team,” Cook said. “That’s all that matters. Everybody’s going to have to make sacrifices this year – that’s all that counts.”
Cook starts his high school career after a much-balleyhood AAU campaign where he ran with both the Rose City Rebels on the EYBL circuit and also notably with the North Coast Blue Chips – where one of his teammates was Bronny James, whose father LeBron (someone you might have heard of) spent a lot of time around the team.
“It was a great experience, especially learning from the GOAT himself, a lot of people don’t get,” Cook said. “I thought I played good. We came in and gelled together and we all wanted to win. Everybody was on the same page with the basketball.”
Colleges have certainly started to track Cook and he’s already picked up scholarship offers from Washington State, Pacific, and San Francisco. Pepperdine and Oregon State have also been in touch and while it’s obviously way too early for him when it comes to college recruiting, he’s very appreciative of the interest.
“Honestly it’s great because I hadn’t stepped on a high school floor,” Cook said. “But I just want to prove why I have those offers.”
Next for Cook and Jefferson is a trip to Hawaii for the Iolani Classic. From there, it’s the Les Schwab Invitational and then the rest of the season where Cook has some goals not only for this season but beyond.
“It’s going to be scary man as we’re trying to go for that ring – that’s what we’re focusing on for sure,” Cook said. “I just want to win and get four rings. I’m trying to get four wings.”