Counterintuitive to his typical playmaking responsibilities where he orchestrates the offense and gets his teammates the ball in the right spots, a lot of the action called for Cooper to score the basketball and he more than delivered. Proving to be a legitimate threat to score the basketball, Cooper’s shot making stood out the most— knocking down a number of in rhythm perimeter looks both as a spot up shooter, with deep range accuracy too, off the ball and off the dribble in different PnR and DHO action(s) while also excelling as a movement shooter coming some of similar ball screens. A constant threat to generate ample paint touches and generate offense from there, Cooper also converted on a handful of soft touch floaters in the lane showcasing his touch in the in between area. Still keeping the defense honest and leveraging a lot of the pressure he saw as he found a rhythm offensively, Cooper still found ways to manipulate the defense as a facilitator— using his court vision to locate open shooters in passing windows and find cutters ahead in transition before the defense was able to get set.

Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ has all the qualities of a pass first point guard that you trust in running the show offensively— particularly in his ability to keep the ball on a string when handling it against pressure, unselfish facilitation, and the court vision to dissect defenses. Cooper stood out in the ways he was consistently able to locate open shooters out on the perimeter, feed his bigs the ball in the low post and hit them when running to the rim in the open floor, and even find cutters in different half court actions. All while remaining a threat to score with the ball in his hands— converting on soft touch runners in the lane and shooting it with efficiency from three point range, knocking down shots off the catch and tough perimeter pull ups.

Cooper isn’t the most shifty on-ball creator but he was still able to set the table by always playing at the right speed. He also manipulated defenders with his eyes and ball fake, then zipped the ball to whoever was open. But his team needed him to score and he did so from deep. Cooper knocked down multiple threes, spotting up and off the catch to space the floor and force defenders to guard him honestly.

Every bit of the definition of a pass first point guard who’s distinctive in setting up others, Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ stood out with intangibles as an unselfish ball handler. Paring that mindset with a tight handle and composure against ball pressure while keeping his head up all times,  Cooper approached the game with a commitment to keeping the ball moving offensively, particularly with look aheads in transition advancing the ball up the floor and making the extra pass in the half court to pass up good looks for great looks. 

A legitimate pass first point guard with impressively nice feel for the game who rarely ever lets ball pressure speed him up when tasked with handling the basketball, Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ ‘s performance over the weekend was without a doubt highlighted by his impressive court vision and tremendous passing feel. A trustworthy decision maker, Cooper made a lot of strong reads with the ball in his hands, ones that support the belief in trusting him to routinely initiate and orchestrate offense— keeping his vision in the open floor finding cutters cutting to the basket and locating open shooters out on the perimeter, hitting rollers when navigating ball screens in PnR action(s). All while shooting the three ball at a fairly efficient clip and showcasing his soft outside shooting touch.

Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ  embodies the definition of an unselfish playmaker, combining high level feel for the game with outstanding court vision while continuing to display the qualities you want in a reliable floor general. Cooper has impressed with the composure he’s played with so far this spring as both a ball handler and offensive facilitator, consistently breaking down defenses and creating quality looks for teammates in a variety of ways. He consistently keeps his eyes up in transition showcasing strong court vision and displaying creativity as a passer by making the right reads and prioritizing opportunities for teammates. Cooper’s also impressed creating paint touches off the dribble and emphasizing getting others involved throughout the game. 

Although official offers have not came in just yet, things could change within Cooper’s recruitment, especially if he continues to himself as a point guard with glaring unselfish feel for the game.

The very definition of an unselfish playmaker,  Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ  pairs a sharp feel for the game with elite court vision, continuing to show the traits you want in a point guard you can rely on to run an offense. Cooper once again impressed with the poise he brought as a ball handler and offensive initiator— dissecting defenses and consistently finding different ways to find his teammates open. Another part of Cooper’s game that was a sight to see was his ability to not only constantly get in the paint but also play off two feet. All while also providing perimeter value with his long range outside shot making. On the defensive end, Cooper made just as strong an impact, staying in front of drivers, beating ball handlers to their spots, and using active hands to disrupt plays and force deflections.

With every showing Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ continues to demonstrate the necessary qualities you like to see in a PG that you can trust in your running your offense. Steering the ship for this Shoreshots UAA 16U group, Cooper impressed the most by playing with strong command of the offense and clear poise— maintaining his court vision in the open floor and looking for others paired with the flashy passing feel to make the right read, generates paint touches off the bounce, clear emphasis on setting his teammates up. Cooper was also equally as impactful on the defensive end, seen containing drives against opposing drivers, beating ball handlers to the spot, and forcing deflections with active hands. 

Every ounce of the definition of an unselfish playmaker who demonstrates sharp feel for the game paired with elite court vision,  Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ  continued to impress with the poise he showed as a ball handler and offensive initiator in the different ways he finds to create plays for his teammates throughout the course of his first season at Christian Brothers Academy. Already having the reputation as one of the state’s most potent playmakers, Cooper regularly creates high quality scoring chances for his teammates through sharp reads and quick and decisive actions. Elusive and controlled with the ball, he has a knack for picking apart down defenses as a playmaker— finding cutters in stride and delivering well timed passes to spot up shooters for clean and in rhythm looks. While his primary strength lies in facilitating, Cooper has also shown he can step up as a scorer when needed— finishing effectively at the rim with touch and creativity and knocking down open three pointers to keep defenses honest.

Izayah Cooper Izayah Cooper 6'0" | PG Christian Brothers | 2028 State NJ embodies the definition of an unselfish playmaker, pairing an advanced feel for the game with high-level court vision. He impressed with his composure as a primary ball handler, consistently creating quality looks for teammates through sharp reads and decisive play. Quick and fluid with the ball, Cooper routinely collapsed the defense, delivering passes to cutters and spot up shooters in rhythm. While playmaking remains his calling card, he also showed an ability to score when needed, converting on different looks at the basket in the paint and knocking down open threes to keep defenses honest.