With the draft quickly approaching, we are on to our next athlete in our ACC draft profile series. Up next on the list is one of the members of Duke’s National Championship backcourt, guard Quinn Cook.
PG/SG Quinn Cook, Duke
Measurables:
- Age 22
- 6’2″ 180 lbs.
- Wingspan: 6’4″
- No-Step Vertical: 24.5″
- Max Vertical: 31″
En route to bring the Duke Blue Devils a National Championship in the 2014-2015 season, Quinn Cook seemingly saved his best work for last. In his senior season at Duke, Cook averaged a career-high 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. His 45% shooting from the field overall, his 40% shooting from beyond the arc, and his 89% free throw shooting were all career-bests. Most of this can be attributed to his movement off the ball his senior year, as McDonald’s All-American and fellow draft prospect Tyus Jones took over a majority of the ball handling duties for the Blue Devils. His ability to shoot is unquestioned, but what are the question marks surrounding Cook heading into next week’s draft?
First, he saw a majority of his success playing shooting guard as a senior, but in the NBA, he is undersized as a 2-guard that plays off the ball. Standing at only a shade over 6’2″, Cook will have trouble getting his shot off over some of the best defenders in the world. Speaking of his shot, while Cook is deadly as a spot-up shooter, he does not have a great ability to separate from his defender to create his own shot. If Cook is given an open look, chances are that he will make the jump shot, but he may find it difficult to create his own scoring opportunities at the next level.
Additionally, there were some points throughout last season prior to the championship run, where Duke struggled defensively. Most of this had to do with the backcourt struggles staying in front of some of the best guards in the ACC. Quinn Cook has a tendency to lose his man on defense, generally through too much ball-watching, and also has frequently gotten beat off the dribble. The good news for Cook, is that his offense has been so good that it has masked his defensive struggles, and it is something that he has the potential to improve on once he gets into the NBA and is coached on the intricacies of being a defender as a professional.
With Cook’s offensive upside, and his ability to improve on defense, Cook has the potential to be a competent role player in the NBA. His size will not scare off teams with later picks, and he is well worth the gamble, as his defense can also greatly improve.
NBA Draft Projection: Early Second Round
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