[autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag] was one of the most highly anticipated recruits to ever come through the Auburn Basketball program.
According to 247Sports, Cooper is the third-highest-ranked recruit the Tigers have ever landed.
Things did not go exactly as planned, however, as an NCAA investigation, a shortened season, and injuries heavily limited Cooper’s time on the court and he only played in 12 games.
The Powder Springs, Georgia native was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the 48th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. After filling the role of a two-way player for the Hawks in the 2021-22 season, Cooper did the same thing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2022-23 season.
Cooper offered his perspective on why he does not have a permanent spot on an NBA roster when talking to reporters last week. An AL.com article included what Cooper had to say.
“You got to control what you can control,” Cooper said. “It’s so hard to think about: What can I do to get to the next level? You get so caught up into that, you kind of lose focus on where you are.”
Cooper also gave some insight into his thought process for his career.
“I try not to think like that,” Cooper said. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. Not too many people get to say they can come to a summer league and have a training camp in the NBA. I try not to lose the thought that I’m extremely blessed to be where I am, and, hopefully, I just take care of what I have to take care of and let everything else take care of itself.”
Cooper is determined to show that he is capable of a full-time spot on an NBA roster.
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