Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players from college participating in 2019 NBA Finals

By Brandon Simberg

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30, Kevin Durant #35 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors laugh on the bench during a 130-111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30, Kevin Durant #35 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors laugh on the bench during a 130-111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 29: Quinn Cook #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the South Regional Final of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at NRG Stadium on March 29, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 29: Quinn Cook #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the South Regional Final of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at NRG Stadium on March 29, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

9. Quinn Cook – Duke (2012-2015)

It’s rare to see four-year players at Duke this decade, but Cook was the last of that kind for coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Cook was a four-star point guard out of the prestigious Oak Hill Academy but was only a role player for the Blue Devils his freshman season, playing 11 minutes per game. But Coach K liked what he saw out of Cook who then became Duke’s starting point guard his sophomore season. He was named to the third team All-ACC as a sophomore.

Cook’s junior season was not as strong as his numbers dipped slightly. He lost his starting point guard spot to Tyler Thornton. The Blue Devils had a roster that featured the likes of Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood, but they were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by No. 14 seed Mercer.

Cook used that as motivation to come back even better for his senior season. With five-star freshman point guard Tyus Jones coming in, Cook shifted to more of an off-ball role where he flourished scoring a career high 15.3 points per game. He led the ACC in three-pointers made with 102 but he also led the conference in percentage at 39.5. As a result, Cook was named to the second team All-ACC.

The 2014-2015 Blue Devils were a powerhouse with freshman studs Jones, Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow, but Cook’s consistent play and veteran leadership helped guide them to a National Championship.

Cook went undrafted and never seemed like an NBA caliber player, but after strong showings in the G-League Cook signed a two-year contract with the Warriors. Cook played well in the conference finals and will have an opportunity to get some minutes in the NBA Finals as well.

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