Oregon Ducks Mens Basketball Lands Mookie Cook No 5 Contender

Oregon Ducks Men’s Basketball Lands Mookie Cook, No. 5 Contender in Class of 2023

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6:46 p.m. ET

  • Jeff Borzello

    CloseOregon Ducks Mens Basketball Lands Mookie Cook No 5 Contender.png&h=80&w=80&scale=cropESPN Author

    • Basketball Recruiting Insider.
    • With ESPN since 2014.
    • Graduated from the University of Delaware.

  • Paul Biancardi

    Close1648780770 346 Oregon Ducks Mens Basketball Lands Mookie Cook No 5 Contender.png&h=80&w=80&scale=cropBasketball Recruitment

    • National Recruitment Director for ESPN.com
    • 18 years coaching experience at Division I level
    • Former Horizon League Coach of the Year at Wright State

Elite 2023 contestant Mookie Cook has signed to Oregon and is only the second top-five recruit to sign to the Ducks since 2007.

Cook chose Dana Altman’s program over Kentucky and Gonzaga. He has long been familiar with Oregon because his sister Chaquinn ran on the track for the Ducks and was a two-time All-American in 2017 and 2018.

“I know where I want to go and the timing is perfect for me,” Cook told ESPN. “I went to all three schools. Coach Altman came to see me play the Les Schwab event in eighth grade. He’s been recruiting me ever since. … I’ve always been on campus and I love their facilities.”

Oregon made him a priority early in the process and has continued to push Cook in recent months.

“Coach Altman is a cool guy,” Cook said. “He is relaxed but serious on the pitch. He is a very receptive person. He listens to his players in the game. Assistant coach Mike Mennenga stayed in close contact with me throughout the process. We’ve built a great relationship.”

Cook, a 6-foot-7 short forward from Portland, Oregon, who competes in the Arizona Compass Prep, is ranked No. 5 on the ESPN 100 for the junior class. He is number 2 at his position in 2023.

Cook averaged 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Oakland Soldiers’ 16U grassroots program at the Nike EYBL circuit last summer and then bolstered his game with strong performances during his junior season with Arizona Compass Prep. He had 16 points and six rebounds on the national stage against the National Christian Academy at the Hoophall Classic in January.

Cook is a small forward who can affect the game without scoring. He can ricochet and advance the ball with the dribbling or make the bat-ahead pass. He’s also a multi-position defender who excels at transitions, can finish on the edge, and is able to score from the post or with pull-up jumpers.

The next step for Cook is to work on his ball handling, specifically staying in control and becoming more agile on half court against a set defense. He also needs to go from being a capable 3-point shooter to being a consistent one.

Cook’s commitment marks Oregon’s third straight recruiting class with a five-star prospect — but he’s only the second top-five recruit to commit to the Ducks since ESPN’s recruiting database began in 2007. He is the second-highest recruit in Oregon during that time span, behind only Bol Bol, who was ranked #4 in 2018.

Cook is Oregon’s second signing of 2023, joining ESPN 60 point guard Jackson Shelstad. The Ducks’ top target in the class is Kwame Evans, Junior No. 2 overall.

“I’ve also known Jackson Shelstad since I was in fourth grade. So I’m excited to play with him,” Cook said. “I hope we can bring Kwame Evans Jr. as well.”