NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the new 6 options for 5-star wing Mookie Cook

NBA G League Ignite Team

There’s a possibility that Cook could reclassify to not play in NCAA Basketball but instead, the Ignite Team. He can start out his pro career early and he already has the body and skillset to make the transition as smooth as possible. Cook also could go to the pro ranks a year from now as well and avoid college altogether.

It’s been a mixed bag for high school prospects that end up in the G League, with some ending up in the lottery of the NBA Draft, while others fall down to the 2nd round or even end up undrafted. But that was a similar fate for those that went to college as well so ultimately, Cook has to figure out the pros and cons before making that kind of decision.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have four-star wing commit Dusty Stromer in the 2023 class but he can either play as a shooting guard or a backup wing. It’s very likely that starting small forward Julian Strawther will be gone after next season, leaving the position wide open for Cook to come in and be a focal point of the offense, assuming that star center Drew Timme is also going to be gone.

Although Gonzaga is in the WCC, that hasn’t stopped former five-star prospects (Zach Collins, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Suggs) from being taken in the lottery of the NBA Draft. Cook can remain a top-tier prospect while playing for a program that has made seven straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. They’ve become the top program out on the west coast if that’s where Cook wants to remain.