Tag: sharife cooper

2021 NBA Draft: 10 bold predictions from the preseason revisited

Rookie Wire made 10 bold predictions for the 2021-22 rookie class and made a vow to come back and see how we did.

Rookie Wire offered 10 bold predictions for the 2021-22 rookie class last October and made a vow at the time to come back after the season and see just how we did.

Well, it is that time to look back and review the results.

Our annual revisit of these bold predictions is our favorite time of the year. It typically just consists of us trying to convince basketball fans why we made the picks and why they should have come true, but ultimately didn’t.

Upon further review, this year proved to be no different.

Several predictions fell well short of expectations but to be fair, we were pretty close on a few. We just ask that you don’t alert the authorities at Freezing Cold Takes about the ones we missed badly on.

Here are the latest results with the verdict from each prediction.

Former Auburn basketball player re-signed by NBA team to two-way contract

A two-way contract often denotes a split between the main roster and the team’s G League affiliate.

A former Auburn Tiger and second-round NBA draft pick has been re-signed to his NBA team.

[autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag], who played for Auburn during the 2020-21 season before declaring for the draft, was re-signed by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA on a two-way contract on Friday. In the NBA, a two-way contract stipulates that a player can play 50 of a team’s 82 games and is paid a flat rate equal to half of the league minimum with no guarantees. Due to the nature of a two-way contract, it’s likely that Cooper will spend some time with the Hawks’ G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

So far, Cooper hasn’t really caught on with the Hawks. In his only season playing for them so far in 2021, he’s only averaged three minutes per game in the 13 he played with 0.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 21.4 percent. He’s fared better in the G League so far, averaging 30.7 minutes, 17.1 points and four rebounds per game while shooting at 43.5 percent.

Time will tell how the Hawks plan on using Cooper for the upcoming 2022 season, but it’s clear that they believe he needs some more developing in the NBA G League before he’s ready for a prime role on an NBA squad.

[vertical-gallery id=49504]

How to Watch: Sharife Cooper’s first game at 2022 NBA Summer League

Sharife Cooper is set to play tonight.

[autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag]’s second season of professional basketball is set to start tonight.

Cooper and the rest of the Atlanta Hawks will be taking on the Utah Jazz in their first Summer League game of the 2022 season.

The is will be Coopers second time playing in the Summer League. The former second-round pick averaged 14.8 points and 7.3 assists over four games in last year’s edition.

He is currently on a two-way contract with the Hawks and is looking to prove that he does not need to spend any more time in the G League.

Last season played just 39 minutes with the Hawks and scored 7 points. He did impress in the G League though, averaging 17.1 points and 7.3 assists in 22 games.

A strong showing at Summer League and the rest of the preseason could allow Cooper to turn that contract into a regular NBA contract and become a rotational member behind Trae Young.  Here is how to watch him in his first action at the Summer League.

How to Watch:

  • Date: Saturday, July 9
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Location: Thomas & Mack Arena
  • TV: NBA TV

[mm-video type=video id=01g69hz6b48s95p488gw playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g69hz6b48s95p488gw/01g69hz6b48s95p488gw-ecc0ca8d5fad94e8abd14f325cc16b70.jpg]

[listicle id=50065]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Former Auburn star Sharife Cooper called up from G-League

Hawks make the decision to call up former Auburn guard Sharife Cooper.

On Wednesday, the Hawks called up former Auburn guard [autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag] according to Mike Conti..

Last season, Sharife Cooper was competing at the collegiate level. The Tigers were not surprised to see how talented Cooper was. He finished his freshman season averaging 20.2 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 8.1 assists per game. With the Tigers having a down season and being placed on probation, Cooper never showcased his skillset on the biggest stages (SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament).

After the 2020 season ended, he entered the NBA draft. The Atlanta Hawks chose Cooper with the 48th pick in the second round. Ever since then, he has gone back and forth between the NBA Hawks’ roster to the G-League Hawks’ roster. The majority of his time thus far at the next level has been spent with the College Park Skyhawks. He has played in 22 games while averaging 17.1 points per game, 4.0 assists per game, and 7.1 assists per game.

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday morning, the Georgia native was promoted to the Hawks’ active roster. With just two regular-season games remaining for Atlanta, it certainly seems as if Cooper could be placed on the playoff roster. With Hawks guard Lou Williams being unable to perform at a high level, head coach Nate McMillan could definitely depend on the ex-Tigers sensation to be the backup for Trae Young.

Auburn fans should keep a close eye on how the Hawks utilize Cooper moving forward.

[mm-video type=video id=01fzxs7brvq6hn1b2286 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fzxs7brvq6hn1b2286/01fzxs7brvq6hn1b2286-1dfcd168c99f981b53adcfdde2ee2241.jpg]

[listicle id=45191]

[lawrence-related id=45252,45237,45224]

Contact/Follow us @AuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Brody on Twitter: @BrodySmoot

Hawks’ Sharife Cooper placed in COVID health and safety protocols

Cooper is the latest Hawks player to join the health and safety protocols, joining Trae Young and Clint Capela among others.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper this week was placed into the NBA’s health and safety protocols, becoming the latest player affected by the current coronavirus outbreak.

Cooper is the eighth Hawks player currently out because of health and safety protocols, joining Trae Young, Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari among others. The Hawks had 11 players available on Thursday, including two replacements, in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Players and coaches entered into the health and safety protocol are required to spend a minimum of 10 days in isolation. However, they can be cleared to play sooner if they return two consecutive negative PCR tests taken at least 24 hours apart.

[mm-video type=video id=01fpzrv2ypdrrp58jp1k playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fpzrv2ypdrrp58jp1k/01fpzrv2ypdrrp58jp1k-23441bbed1aa5d945f6f8b615bea8734.jpg]

Cooper has logged only eight appearances with the Hawks this season and has spent a majority of his time with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League. In 11 games, Cooper is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 assists and three rebounds per game.

The NBA is in the middle of its most trying stretch of the season as players and teams alike battle ongoing issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. During the month of December, more than 100 players have entered the health and safety protocol.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=46552,40537,46955]

[listicle id=47079]

Sharife Cooper, Jalen Johnson combine for over 50 in G League

Cooper and Johnson combined to score nearly 60 points to lead the College Park Skyhawks to their first win of the season.

Atlanta Hawks rookies Sharife Cooper and Jalen Johnson on Thursday combined to score nearly 60 points on assignment with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League.

Cooper, who is signed to a two-way contract, produced a season-high 33 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the Skyhawks to their first win of the season. He went 10-of-17 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

Johnson neared a triple-double after recording 23 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and one block in 40 minutes. He registered his fifth double-double of the season with the performance, which is tied for second-most among all players in the G League.

Following the performance, Cooper is now averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in nine games with the Skyhawks. Meanwhile, Johnson is posting 18.1 points, 11.2 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals and one block in eight games.

With playing time at a minimum in the NBA, Cooper and Johnson have had the opportunity to stay sharp with the Skyhawks. They have shown promise with the Skyhawks and have emerged as some of the top first-year players in the G League.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=43442,40537,37050]

[mm-video type=video id=01fpgz1114j38dcc3pa3 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fpgz1114j38dcc3pa3/01fpgz1114j38dcc3pa3-70d04042fb53259a0da67cf2f6989689.jpg]

[listicle id=46364]

Hawks’ Sharife Cooper pulled up to watch Auburn season opener

Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper on Tuesday was among those on hand as No. 22 Auburn opened up the season versus Morehead State.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper on Tuesday was among those on hand as the No. 22 Auburn Tigers opened up the regular season versus Morehead State.

Wendell Green Jr. scored a game-high 19 points, K.D. Johnson had 12 points and Devan Cambridge added 11 points to lead the Tigers to a 77-54 win. Auburn led by 20 points after the first half and was able to cruise to the easy victory to open up the season.

Of course, the Tigers lost Cooper to the NBA draft after a sensational season last year.

Cooper was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and one steal in 12 games. He was one of seven players to average at least 20 points and eight assists over the last 25 years.

He reunited with former head coach Bruce Pearl after the win.

Cooper, the 48th overall pick, signed a two-way contract over the offseason. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in the preseason, but was not part of the rotation to begin the season and was recently sent to the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League.

He hit five 3-pointers en route to a 23-point performance in his debut with the Skyhawks on Friday. Cooper followed that up with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in his second game with College Park on Sunday.

With the Skyhawks off until Friday, Cooper had the opportunity to return to campus and watch the Tigers kick off their season in grand fashion with a win.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=40087,39963,37050]

[mm-video type=video id=01fm2tf1zhdwa31n1ap5 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fm2tf1zhdwa31n1ap5/01fm2tf1zhdwa31n1ap5-6f207a48f2d15183e844b95d358b1316.jpg]

[listicle id=43746]

Hawks’ Sharife Cooper drained five 3-pointers in G League debut

Cooper finished with 23 points during his debut with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League regular-season opener.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper drained five 3-pointers on Friday during his debut with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League regular-season opener.

Cooper finished with 23 points, six assists and one steal in nearly 33 minutes of work during the 116-103 loss to the Maine Celtics. He converted on 8-of-22 shot attempts from the field, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range from the starting lineup.

The second-round pick did most of his work from beyond the 3-point line but also mixed in some nice drives and finishes at the basket. He has been highly touted for his ability to get others involved and that was on display throughout the contest, as well.

Cooper, who is signed to a two-way contract, is with College Park after totaling six minutes this season with Atlanta. He has been training with the Skyhawks ahead of the regular season and will spend time with them for the foreseeable future.

The 48th pick averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds with the Hawks in the preseason, but wasn’t part of the rotation to start the year. He will have the opportunity to log time and continue his development with College Park.

Cooper is eligible to spend no more than 50 games with the Hawks in the NBA, so he will be with College Park for much of the season. The opportunity to play in the G League will help him stay sharp and continue his development.

The Skyhawks return to action on Sunday once again against the Celtics. The contest can be streamed starting at 2 p.m. EDT.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=39963,37050,36553]

[mm-video type=video id=01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x/01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x-590ceaf56a5a18470ddcdaf1d7c49ef1.jpg]

[listicle id=43117]

Hawks assign rookie Sharife Cooper to G League affiliate

Cooper has been training with the Skyhawks ahead of their regular-season opener on Friday and is expected to see extended playing time.

On Thursday, the Atlanta Hawks announced they assigned second-round pick Sharife Cooper to the College Park Skyhawks, their affiliate in the NBA G League.

Cooper, who is signed to a two-way contract, will suit up with College Park after totaling just six minutes this season with Atlanta. He has been training with the Skyhawks ahead of their regular-season opener on Friday against the Maine Celtics and is expected to see extended time.

The 48th overall pick averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds with the Hawks in the preseason but has not been part of the rotation to open the regular season. He will now have the opportunity to log time and continue his development with College Park.

Cooper is eligible to spend no more than 50 games with the Hawks in the NBA so he will be with College Park for much of the season. The opportunity to play in the G League will help him stay sharp and continue his development.

The Skyhawks and Celtics can be streamed beginning at 7 p.m. EDT.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=39963,37050,36553]

[mm-video type=video id=01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x/01fkp4jc062reyf6bb5x-590ceaf56a5a18470ddcdaf1d7c49ef1.jpg]

[listicle id=43117]

Sharife Cooper makes NBA debut for the Atlanta Hawks

Sharife Cooper made his NBA debut last night.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=none image=https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Sharife Cooper made his NBA debut in the Atlanta Hawks’ big win over the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener.

The Hawks won 113-87.

The rookie entered the game late in the contest. He played for four minutes. He was 0-3 from the floor and 0-2 from behind the arc. His plus/minus was minus one.

Cooper was drafted by the Hawks in the 2021 NBA draft in the second round and was the 48th overall pick.

He left Auburn after one season to pursue a career in the NBA.

Next up for Cooper and the Hawks are the Cleveland Cavaliers where he will face off against former Auburn Tigers Isaac Okoro.

[listicle id=26052]

Contact/Follow us @theauburnwire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion.