Written By: Jordan Jones
Staff Writer
Chris Cooper may seem quiet off the court, but his game speaks volumes as numerous opponents in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) have found out so far this year.
The 6-feet9-inch senior is No.1 in the CAA in offensive rebounds, a little over four per game, and leads the team in double doubles with 10.
He has been a consistent presence for the Monarchs including scoring 17 points in the close defeat to the then No. 2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats. He was also named CAA player of the week for his efforts during the week of Nov. 21. Cooper had a chance to reflect on his time as a Monarch.
“You have to come out here every day and take ownership of what you do and play hard,” Cooper said. Cooper was also able to take some things away from former Monarch standouts Frank Hassell and Gerald Lee. “I’ve learned how to be a leader and how to grow up and become your own man, and how to be a basketball player and teach other guys how to do the same thing I did,” Cooper said.
This season has presented its share of challenges for the man fans affectionately call “ Coop.” He’s had to adjust from being a starter to coming off the bench currently.
Cooper has a humble, team oriented approach to the situation. “As long as we get the W[win], I really don’t care if I come off the bench or start. I just want the team to progress as we have been doing the past two years and make it to the NCAA tournament again,” Cooper said.
Cooper identifies a few of the strengths and also some weaknesses of his game. “I see myself as a good defender and rebounder, and I can work on finishing some more of those higher percentage plays around the basket,” Cooper said.
A player of Cooper’s caliber is sure to gain some attention post-graduation from leagues around the world and he hopes to be able to continue his basketball career somewhere after his time at Old Dominion is done.
With nine games left, the Monarchs will have to keep up the good play and Cooper has his own ideas about what needs to happen as the regular season draws to a close. “Just stay level minded and together. We’re all a big family here,” Cooper said.
The Dumfries, Virginia native has never forgotten his roots, even with his success on the court and said some of his biggest motivations are his mother and sister. “My sister plays basketball also and I just want to set an example for her and show her how to make a path for herself in life,” Cooper said.
Athletes are notoriously superstitious at times when it comes to pre-game rituals, some of which are quite comical. Cooper has a few of his own. “Before every game, I have to wear a white undershirt under my jersey and I listen to music also, mostly Jay Z’s album ‘Reasonable Doubt’.”
If Old Dominion is to win their third CAA championship title, this soft spoken giant in the middle will undoubtedly be an integral part of their success. With Monarch Nation behind him, the man all known as “Coop” is poised to dominate the rest of the opponents in his last campaign as ODU’s enforcer.
Photo by Chris Sampson
