Mookie Cook to announce college decision. Will he pick Oregon Ducks?
Consensus five-star small forward Mookie Cook is ready to make his decision.
After trimming his list to a final three of Gonzaga, Kentucky and Oregon earlier this month, the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect will be announcing his commitment at halftime of the 3 p.m. PT game at GEICO Nationals on ESPNU.
UPDATE: COOK COMMITS TO OREGON DUCKS
The 6-foot-7 small forward, originally out of Portland’s Jefferson High School, transferred to AZ Compass Prep last year to develop his game and play elite competition.
Since that time, Cook has established himself as one of the most physically-gifted, skilled players in the 2023 class.
So, where is he headed?
Prediction: Cook to Oregon.
Cook has always wanted to represent “home” - Portland, at first, but that dream expanded to the state of Oregon as he grew.
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Despite strong pushes from Gonzaga and Kentucky, as well as a recent move out of state, loyalty to “home” plays a huge role in his recruitment.
For years, Oregon missed on key big names in the home state, almost to the point of Duck fans feeling it was the program’s unofficial curse that began in the Ernie Kent era - Kevin Love, Kyle Singler, Terrence Ross, Terrence Jones, Kyle Wiltjer and more.
But the in-state recruiting momentum has shifted in recent years.
West Linn’s Payton Pritchard, who originally committed to Oklahoma, flipped to Oregon and flourished in Eugene, winning the Bob Cousy award as the nation’s best point guard (2020).
Mookie Cook transferred from Jefferson (Oregon) to AZ Compass Prep in April 2021.
Photos by Taylor Balkom
Last year, the Ducks continued their local momentum with the addition of five-star center Nathan Bittle, a McDonald’s All-American from Central Point, Oregon.
Once the bane of the Oregon basketball program, it now appears in-state recruiting could be backbone of the program in the coming years.
The Ducks have already secured a commitment from 2023 West Linn point guard Jackson Shelstad, the nation’s No. 62 overall prospect and arguably one of the most unrated players in America.
With Cook, Oregon would have its best in-state recruit in program history - and a dynamic in-state duo for the 2023 class.
Shelstad and Cook are extremely close and with a year of high school ball remaining it’s possible that at least one of the two will try to convince the other to join them for their final high school season - it’s something to watch.
But that’s putting the cart before the horse.
First, however, Cook would have to choose Oregon.
I predict that happens Thursday afternoon.
Cook’s commitment would be the latest bit of good news for an Oregon program trending in the right direction.
There’s growing buzz that many of the current Ducks will be returning for another season rather than turning pro or transferring.
Every program in the country seems to experience its fair share of transfer departures, but Oregon fans might just be thrilled when the “I’m staying” announcements start to roll in for Dana Altman’s squad.
