Q&A WITH DAEQUAN COOK
Cook expects call from LeBron
By
Mark Gokavi
Dayton Daily News
The basketball world is small. Most top players know each other, regardless of age or level of play.
That's why most high school, college and professional basketball players know about Dunbar's Daequan Cook. Conversely, he knows a lot of them.
Other than shoes, a uniform and a basketball, the other key piece of equipment for big-time players is a cell phone. Cook said he has more than 220 numbers in his phone, about 130 that are basketball-related.
LeBron James hasn't called yet, but Daequan Cook said it could come soon.
"He'll probably give me a call, more than likely," the Dunbar senior basketball player said. "He'll probably wish me good luck, period, on the whole tournament, not just against his team."
No. 3-ranked Dunbar (24-2) battles James' alma mater, top-ranked Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-3), at 2 p.m. today in the Division II state semifinals in Columbus' Schottenstein Center.
Cook said he and James swapped phone numbers at a Cavaliers game last season. Now he's taking on James' old team. Cook said James likely won't be there — the Cavaliers host Boston at 7:30 p.m. — but you never know.
Either way, Cook wants Dunbar to get past the semifinal game, unlike last year's 95-90 loss to eventual champ Upper Sandusky.
"We are very prepared," Cook said. "We practiced hard. Hopefully we play like we practiced."
In a question-and-answer session, the 6-foot-5 McDonald's All-American talked about getting LeBron James' phone number, the goal for future Ohio State teammates Greg Oden and Mike Conley and what he's learned from Tim Duncan.
QUESTION — How many phone numbers do you have in your cell phone and of whom?
ANSWER — Man, I've got everybody. I've got everybody's name in there. I have LeBron's number. I have Ron Harper's number. I've got O.J.'s (Mayo) number. Mike (Conley) and Greg (Oden). Bill Walker. I've got everybody's in there you can think of, almost.
Q — What level are these players?
A — College players, high school players and a few NBA players. Some of them I've got just a first and last initial so I really don't know until they call my phone. It's probably about five or six pro players in there. I've got (Cleveland Cavalier) Damon Jones' number, too.
Q — How'd you get LeBron's number?
A — I was at one of the games last year when they played the Charlotte Bobcats. He knew about me and O.J. It was really kind of cool how he just came and we talked to each other real fast and he gave me his number.
Q — After seeing James in high school and now he's an MVP candidate in the NBA, what's that like for you?
A — It's crazy. You sit there and see how spectacular he's playing and you say to yourself, 'Man, I'm talking to that man on the phone.' It's just amazing.
Q — Has he become for kids in Ohio ?
A — A role model? Yes, he has. He's set the tone for everybody.
Q — Due to the change in NBA draft rules, you can't go straight to there.
What is your goal at Ohio State?
A — I really want to have a purpose to go, and that's to win a championship there. Hopefully, the one or two years I'm there I'll perform good and we'll perform good as a team and win. Then, my status will go up and hopefully everybody else's goes up.
Q — What do you think you have to work on?
A — Defense. I play good defense to an extent, but when I get tired I start playing lazy defense.
Q — Why can't most guys hit a 15-foot jump shot?
A — They look to score 3-pointers or go to the hole. To be a great player, you have to have an all-around game. That's what I work on. I don't just work on one part or two parts, I work on all of it at one time.
Q — You also use the backboard on shots like Tim Duncan. Why?
A — He's my favorite guy. And the one other thing I learn (by watching) him is rebounding. He's an excellent rebounder. You can learn the game, not just as far as on the court and playing it. He doesn't show any type of emotions when calls get called on him. Or a big situation comes and it's a big breakout fight or something, he always is calm, cool and collected. He's never caused a problem like some other NBA players.
Q — Have you ever had anybody offer you something they're not supposed to?
A — No. My mom and the people I'm around don't let me be around people like that. I've seen people in the past get in trouble for stuff like that. My mom always says, 'Don't go out there and do something you're going to think about later.' I don't want to mess up.
Q — What about your last weekend of high school hoops?
A — I've still got something to handle here. I don't want to let the guys down. I feel like we need a state title.
