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Name: Jack Cooley
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-9
Position: Power Forward
School/Country: Notre Dame
Latest Stats: 13.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey had the perfect prototype to follow in the footsteps of Luke Harangody after he left the Fighting Irish for a professional career in the NBA. Harangody, who is currently a member of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBDL, had a look-a-like prospect who stepped right in following his graduation. Jack Cooley was the one who shined in that limelight. Now however, Cooley’s career at Notre Dame has come to a close, but like Harangody, Cooley has the potential to hear his name called on draft night.
At 6-foot-9, Cooley is undersized for the NBA power forward position, but he has always found ways in the past to overcome that. Cooley is a bruiser down low and a worker inside and on the glass. Cooley has great strength and a knack for finding loose balls. In his final season at Notre Dame, Cooley averaged a double-double, scoring 13.1 points and grabbing 10.1 rebounds per contest. Cooley does not have the prototypical NBA profile, but he still could be selected in the latter portion of the second round.
Strengths: Cooley makes up for his lack of height with a consistent work ethic. He’s a rebounding machine and he has the strength to finish against even bigger, more athletic defenders. Cooley is not afraid to take the contact and get to the free throw line where he has become an improving foul shooter.
Weaknesses: Cooley will of course, need to find ways to make up for his height disadvantage. At Notre Dame, Cooley could dominate and control the paint at times — that won’t happen at the NBA level. Cooley needs to evolve and better his face-up game and increase his mobility in the half court.
Draft Projection: Late Second Round to Undrafted
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