She hates to sound like a broken record, but this truly is a dream come true for the Toledo, Ohio, native.ĭuring the Sparks’ preseason game against Phoenix, Cooke told Brittney Griner she watched the star center since childhood. She heard stories about how close-knit players were, but being part of it first-hand blew her away. The veterans are Cooke’s immediate family in the larger WNBA sisterhood. Sparks Can Curt Miller transform revitalized Sparks into a WNBA power again?Ĭoming off a dysfunctional season 2022 season, new coach Curt Miller will be tasked with rebuilding the Sparks’ winning legacy in the WNBA. We need to develop a young core along with our veterans.” “But this is certainly an important year for growth and learning for Zia as the rookie. “Very few rookies are superstars,” Miller said. But for the rebuilding Sparks, who are trying to return to the postseason for the first time in two seasons under a first-year coach and general manager, Cooke’s early flashes provide a glimpse at a bright future. Only 15 of this year’s 36 WNBA draft picks made opening-day rosters. Jumping from college to the WNBA is getting tougher. Getting used to the physicality of the game comes with being a rookie, Cooke said.
Staley told her to stop getting hung up on screens. Cooke wasn’t tasked with the full defensive responsibility against her shooting guard counterpart Diana Taurasi in the season opener as coaches shifted some of the burden to Lexie Brown, Karlie Samuelson and Layshia Clarendon.ĭefense is where she needs to improve most, Cooke admitted after watching the game film. She made both of her three-pointers against Phoenix and teams will adjust to her shooting. The Sparks know there will be growing pains for Cooke. “She’s primed to just receive her dream.” “She’s being coached and coached to play, not really coached to sit on the bench and be a roster spot,” Staley said. Cooke found the perfect situation in L.A. 1 overall selection Aliyah Boston - always hopes for her players to go as high as possible, but in a league that’s only getting more difficult for rookies, fit is more important than draft standing. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who watched five players get drafted last month - including No.
Picking 10th overall, the Sparks zeroed in on Cook’s two-way ability. She led the team in scoring last season at 15.4 points per game while shooting a career-best 40.5% from the field and won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard. Sparks In Brittney Griner’s return, Sparks dominate Mercury in season openerīrittney Griner plays in her first WNBA game since returning from Russia, finishing with 18 points as the Sparks steal the show in a 94-71 blowout win.Ĭooke was a four-year starter at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks to three Final-Four appearances and a national championship in 2022.