Sharife Cooper’s journey in the NBA since being drafted as the 48th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has been one characterized by resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges in securing a consistent spot on an NBA roster, Cooper’s perseverance has led to another opportunity to pursue his dream in the coming weeks.
According to senior NBA insider Michael Scotto’s update on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to sign guard Sharife Cooper to a 10-day contract, offering him a chance to showcase his skills on the NBA stage once again.
Cooper’s NBA career began with the Atlanta Hawks, who drafted him. However, he struggled to find stability within the organization, spending his debut season on a two-way contract. Making his NBA debut in the Hawks’ season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper faced a challenging start, going 0-for-3 from the floor in a 113–87 win.
Despite his initial setbacks, Cooper remained determined to prove himself in the league. On July 22, 2022, he re-signed with the Hawks on another two-way deal, only to be waived by the franchise three days later. Undeterred by the setback, Cooper continued to pursue his NBA aspirations and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sept. 20, 2022. However, his stint with the Cavaliers was short-lived as he was waived again just a month later.
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In his relentless pursuit of his NBA dream, Sharife Cooper found himself playing for the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G-League. Throughout the season, Cooper showcased his talent, averaging 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers’ decision to sign Cooper to a 10-day contract underscores the impact of his performances in the G-League, catching the attention of NBA scouts despite his challenges in securing a permanent roster spot. With the Cavaliers currently holding the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 37-19 record, Cooper’s addition could provide valuable depth to the team as they aim for success in the upcoming games.
Reflecting on Cooper’s collegiate career at Auburn University provides insight into his potential impact at the NBA level. In his lone season with the Tigers, Cooper showcased his versatility and playmaking abilities, averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 33.0 minutes per game.
Cooper’s impressive statistics at Auburn earned him recognition as one of only three players since 2010 to average 20 points, eight assists, and four rebounds per game, alongside NBA All-Star Ja Morant. Despite facing challenges due to an NCAA investigation into his eligibility, Cooper’s talent shone through, with his 97 total assists ranking eighth overall in the SEC and first among freshmen.
Cooper’s decision to enter the NBA draft after his freshman year at Auburn made him only the second one-and-done player in the program’s history, joining Isaac Okoro. Despite his limited collegiate experience, Cooper’s impact on the court and potential for growth garnered attention from NBA scouts and teams, leading to his selection by the Atlanta Hawks.
As Sharife Cooper embarks on this new opportunity with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he carries with him a legacy of resilience and determination. His journey in the NBA serves as a testament to the challenges faced by young athletes striving to make their mark in the league, and his perseverance exemplifies the spirit of determination that drives success in the face of adversity.
This article originally appeared on 5 GOATs and has been shared with permission, highlighting the significance of Cooper’s journey and the excitement surrounding his upcoming opportunity with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As Cooper prepares to take the court once again, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his talent and determination in action, as he continues to pursue his dream of securing a permanent spot on an NBA roster.
the 2021 NBA Draft has been one characterized by resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges in securing a consistent spot on an NBA roster, Cooper’s perseverance has led to another opportunity to pursue his dream in the coming weeks.
According to senior NBA insider Michael Scotto’s update on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to sign guard Sharife Cooper to a 10-day contract, offering him a chance to showcase his skills on the NBA stage once again.
Cooper’s NBA career began with the Atlanta Hawks, who drafted him. However, he struggled to find stability within the organization, spending his debut season on a two-way contract. Making his NBA debut in the Hawks’ season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper faced a challenging start, going 0-for-3 from the floor in a 113–87 win.
Despite his initial setbacks, Cooper remained determined to prove himself in the league. On July 22, 2022, he re-signed with the Hawks on another two-way deal, only to be waived by the franchise three days later. Undeterred by the setback, Cooper continued to pursue his NBA aspirations and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sept. 20, 2022. However, his stint with the Cavaliers was short-lived as he was waived again just a month later.
In his relentless pursuit of his NBA dream, Sharife Cooper found himself playing for the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G-League. Throughout the season, Cooper showcased his talent, averaging 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers’ decision to sign Cooper to a 10-day contract underscores the impact of his performances in the G-League, catching the attention of NBA scouts despite his challenges in securing a permanent roster spot. With the Cavaliers currently holding the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 37-19 record, Cooper’s addition could provide valuable depth to the team as they aim for success in the upcoming games.
Reflecting on Cooper’s collegiate career at Auburn University provides insight into his potential impact at the NBA level. In his lone season with the Tigers, Cooper showcased his versatility and playmaking abilities, averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 33.0 minutes per game.
Cooper’s impressive statistics at Auburn earned him recognition as one of only three players since 2010 to average 20 points, eight assists, and four rebounds per game, alongside NBA All-Star Ja Morant. Despite facing challenges due to an NCAA investigation into his eligibility, Cooper’s talent shone through, with his 97 total assists ranking eighth overall in the SEC and first among freshmen.
Cooper’s decision to enter the NBA draft after his freshman year at Auburn made him only the second one-and-done player in the program’s history, joining Isaac Okoro. Despite his limited collegiate experience, Cooper’s impact on the court and potential for growth garnered attention from NBA scouts and teams, leading to his selection by the Atlanta Hawks.
As Sharife Cooper embarks on this new opportunity with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he carries with him a legacy of resilience and determination. His journey in the NBA serves as a testament to the challenges faced by young athletes striving to make their mark in the league, and his perseverance exemplifies the spirit of determination that drives success in the face of adversity.
This article originally appeared on 5 GOATs and has been shared with permission, highlighting the significance of Cooper’s journey and the excitement surrounding his upcoming opportunity with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As Cooper prepares to take the court once again, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his talent and determination in action, as he continues to pursue his dream of securing a permanent spot on an NBA roster.
