A lot of hype surrounded Sharife Cooper when he signed with Auburn. That continued when the NCAA kept him out for 11 games for reasons that still haven’t been explained.
Is he that good? How special can he be? How will Auburn benefit from his presence?
There are no questions now. Cooper’s ability as a basketball player, floor general and overall leader of a team just six games into his career is one of the most impressive things I have watched in my 39 years of watching basketball and, on Tuesday night in Auburn’s 88-82 victory over No. 12 Missouri, it was even more evident.
Need proof? Just look at the tape of the Tigers without him against Mizzou. After Cooper picked up his third foul late in the first half, Bruce Pearl decided to keep him out of the beginning of the second 20 minutes with Auburn up four points. That lead didn’t last long as Missouri took a six-point lead early in the second half.
Yet Cooper had every answer. A lob to Cambridge. Taking the beating that the visiting Tigers were giving him and getting to the foul line that resulted in him making 18-of-21 free throws. Drawing charges even though he was in foul trouble. Driving past defenders and somehow getting a jump up in traffic among taller players.
He finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
It was all part of his magic and what has become must-watch viewing not for just Auburn fans but basketball fans nationwide. You will not run across many players that can make such a vast difference to a game and a team than Cooper.
To make an Auburn comparison, he’s what Cam Newton was to the 2010 national title team: the alpha dog and the reason why everyone was scared of the Tigers.
He makes everyone on the floor better. His fellow freshman JT Thor becomes a major threat from the three-point line when getting the ball from Cooper. Allen Flanigan gets to be himself, a scorer at heart, instead of someone in charge of taking care of the ball. You can go down the list. Dylan Cardwell lives off the easy dunks he gets because of Cooper. Jaylin Williams, Chris Moore and … well … every Tiger instantly becomes so much more confident on offense with him on the floor.
When was the last time you could say that about any freshman at Auburn? In the SEC? In NCAA basketball? There’s not many and, those that do come to mind (Bobby Hurley and John Wall are examples) were surrounded by players better than them.
Not Cooper. Of course, he won’t admit that or will he ever take full credit for Tuesday’s win, but let’s face facts: without him, Auburn has no chance winning against Missouri.
If he decides to stay another season, the expectations for 2021-22 will skyrocket yet let’s state what is obvious right now: Cooper is the most impactful freshman in college basketball this season and it’s not even close. That doesn’t mean that he is the best, but that he means the most to his team.
It was never more evident than against Missouri. Cooper stole the show and, for those who watched, it was magical.