PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?

“What my offseason looked like was being in a gym every day. Between football and working, I would have to find time to get to the gym. The biggest thing I worked on was my defense and playing good on-ball defense so I can guard everyone on the floor.“

PHD: What’s one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you’ve made the most progress?

“I focused the most on defense, specifically on ball defense, but I felt the most improvement in shooting the ball and felt more comfortable shooting contested shots.“

PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?

“I just recently broke my ankle playing football, so my fall looks like lifting and stretching every day to get back for basketball.“

PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?

“My individual goal is to be one of my team’s leading scorers, and as a team, I want to make it to State.“

PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?

“The most influential coach I have ever had was my dad. He coached my team until I got into high school, and he has taught me a lot about the game of basketball. What made it memorable was the fact that he got to coach me and how he showed me the game is bigger than basketball.“

PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate…Who do we need to know about from your high school team?

“Everyone knows Aiden Hansen is our best player this year, but I would like to shout out Eli Plank Eli Plank 6'0" | CG/PG Lennox | 2027 SD and Blayze Spielman Blayze Spielman 6'2" | CG/SF Lennox | 2028 SD . They are two kids who are going to have a big role this year for our team, and they have worked so hard to make sure we are successful.“

PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?

“My favorite player in the NBA is Naz Reid because of how he can score on all three levels and still be a great defender.“

PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?

“My game has grown in shooting the ball over the last two years.“

PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that’s a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?

“I would say my cousin Kale Knudson Kale Knudson 6'2" | CG Mobridge-Pollock | 2027 State SD because we always push each other and make each other better. I would also say my mom because she is the first person to call me out when I am not putting in the work.“

PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a “go-to” move you like to use?

“I would say I don’t have a hot spot on the court. I would say I score at all three levels the same amount. But if I had to pick one, it would be a rhythm three.“

-Long, scores inside & out, good footwork, and rebounds well

-Versatile defender, appears to be a 2-way player, exciting potential

He should be one of the top talents at the, does he dominate in the paint?

With so much attention on and rightfully so players like Aiden Hanssen Aiden Hanssen 6'1" | PG Lennox | 2027 State SD Eli Plank Eli Plank 6'0" | CG/PG Lennox | 2027 SD and Drake Mikkelsen, Cohen not only could end up having a breakout season but end up being a big contributor for the Orioles. Great size/length and a very well rounded game there isn’t anything he cant do. Shooter ✔️ rebounding ✔️ guard multiple positions ✔️ handle the 🪨 ✔️ nice touch in and around the basket ✔️ look for not only Cohen but the Lennox Orioles to make alot of noise this coming season.

He is a youngster, but this kid can produce from multiple levels. Like all of the ballers in this article, Soukup is a matchup problem. He scores well around the hoop with good feet, scores in transition, hits the mid-range J, and drills the 3-point shot on the regular. Keep track of this Oriole, he is going places.

“Cohen is one of the nicest young men you’ll ever meet, and he’s equally as hardworking. Every day he brought a positive attitude and a willingness to improve. He runs the floor extremely well, stretches the defense with his three-point shooting, and his footwork around the basket is as good as you’ll find for a player his age. He consistently created second-chance opportunities by attacking the offensive glass. The biggest improvement I saw this season was on the defensive end. His ability to guard on the perimeter, move his feet, and defend multiple positions took a major step forward, making him a much more complete player.“

-Noteworthy length, finishes w/ both hands impressively

-Looks good in the PNR game, uses his body well

-Scores from multiple levels, range stretches to 3pt arc

-Hands look good, crafty & creative finisher

-Makes smart reads, cuts, and slips to the hoop

-Impressive passer for a young BIG

-Long arms/lanky, looks like he could keep adding inches

-Looks to have a nice feel for the game

Not your prototype 6’5 big he can flat out shoot the ball and shoot it from deep! Better handles then I had expected from him but he showed thats a strength of his game also. On post touches he scored with good footwork and understanding of how he was being guarded, also finished with both hands and a soft touch. He was a rebounding stud for most of the camp, aggressively attacking the boards.

Soukup’s head coach for TEAM Warwick 14U-1 Ulvestad specifically made sure to mention Soukup’s recent play and his hopes for Cohen to continue his streak. He also reported that Soukup has been successful this offseason against players two grades above him.