NCAA Basketball: Analyzing top 10 teams for top-50 wing Kaden Cooper

Oklahoma State Cowboys

As the other “local” option for Cooper, the Cowboys are looking to land another top-tier in-state prospect alongside Brandon Garrison, a four-star power forward commit in the 2023 class. The roster doesn’t have many true “wings”, as transfer Russell Harrison is the only one that currently fits that description.

OK State has been using mostly three-guard lineups and while they have some good depth, could use someone like Cooper, particularly as a defensive addition to the roster. The program lost a bit of momentum after Cade Cunningham’s successful lone season with the program and while Cooper isn’t anywhere near the high-level prospect, winning out on another in-state player would be important for both the Cowboys and a strike against rival Oklahoma.

Texas Longhorns

There are three options at the wing position for Texas next season; returning leading scorer Timmy Allen, New Mexico State senior transfer Sir’Jabari Rice, and incoming five-star freshman and top-10 overall recruit Dillon Mitchell. Odds are very strong that all three will be gone since the former two don’t have any more eligibility.

Cooper’s defensive abilities make him an ideal fit for head coach Chris Beard’s roster and there aren’t any current class of 2023 commits. Of course, like Alabama and even Gonzaga, the Longhorns could add top-tier players at his position to make playing time a question mark for the top-50 wing. But as one of the top programs in the region, don’t count out Texas in this recruiting process.