Cooley's Professional Basketball Journey: From the NBA to Global Leagues
The path to professional basketball success is rarely a straight line. For Cooley, the journey has been a testament to resilience, spanning multiple continents and various levels of competition. From the high-pressure environment of the NBA to the competitive arenas of Europe and Asia, Cooley has established himself as a formidable presence on the court, particularly known for his dominance on the boards.
Key Facts
- NBA Experience: Signed contracts with the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings.
- D-League Record: Set a single-game record with 29 rebounds for the Idaho Stampede.
- International Reach: Played professionally in Turkey, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
- Statistical Peak: Led the Japanese league in rebounds per game (13.3) during his tenure with the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Early Career and the NBA Pursuit
After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Cooley began his professional pursuit through the Summer Leagues, joining the Houston Rockets in Orlando and the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas. His first professional contract came on August 16, 2013, when he signed with Trabzonspor in Turkey for the 2013–14 season.
The following year, Cooley returned to the United States for more Summer League action with the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers. This led to a signing with the Utah Jazz on August 19, 2014. Although he was waived on October 22, he soon joined the Idaho Stampede as an affiliate player—a role where players are assigned to the G-League (formerly D-League) to maintain game readiness.
His start with the Stampede was interrupted by a thumb injury sustained during the season opener against the Erie BayHawks on November 14, 2014. After being deactivated, he returned to action on January 9, 2015.
The Rise and the D-League Record
Cooley's persistence paid off in February 2015 when he signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz. While he returned to the Stampede after the contract expired on March 6, he made history shortly after. On March 13, Cooley set a new NBA D-League single-game record by grabbing 29 rebounds in a game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
This performance earned him another 10-day contract with the Jazz on March 16, which eventually evolved into a multi-year deal signed on March 26. However, his tenure with the Jazz concluded when he was waived on October 13, 2015.
Expanding Horizons: Europe and the Two-Way Contract
Following a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in October 2015 and a short return to the Idaho Stampede, Cooley transitioned to the European stage. In December 2015, he signed with Unicaja, a prominent club in Spain's Liga ACB and the Euroleague.
Cooley continued his European tour by signing with the German club MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg for the 2016–17 season. His international success paved the way for a return to the NBA on July 29, 2017, when the Sacramento Kings signed him to a two-way contract. This specific contract type allows a player to split time between the NBA roster and a G-League affiliate, in this case, the Reno Bighorns.
On July 27, 2018, Cooley returned to Europe, signing a one-year deal with the Italian club Dinamo Sassari of the LBA.
Dominance in Japan
In July 2019, Cooley moved to Asia to join the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan. It was here that he displayed some of the most dominant statistics of his career. A standout performance occurred on March 15, 2020, where he recorded 31 points and 21 rebounds against the Niigata Albirex BB.
By the end of his tenure, Cooley ranked ninth in the league in scoring with 18.4 points per game and achieved a league-best average of 13.3 rebounds per game.
Career Summary Table
| Year(s) | Team | League/Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2014 | Trabzonspor | Turkey |
| 2014–2015 | Idaho Stampede / Utah Jazz | NBA D-League / NBA |
| 2015–2016 | Unicaja | Spain (Liga ACB/Euroleague) |
| 2016–2017 | MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg | Germany |
| 2017–2018 | Sacramento Kings / Reno Bighorns | NBA / G-League |
| 2018–2019 | Dinamo Sassari | Italy (LBA) |
| 2019–2020 | Ryukyu Golden Kings | Japan |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most notable record Cooley holds?
Cooley set an NBA D-League single-game record by recording 29 rebounds in a game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on March 13, 2015.
Which NBA teams did Cooley sign with?
Cooley signed contracts with the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings.
How did Cooley perform in the Japanese league?
He was a dominant force for the Ryukyu Golden Kings, leading the league with 13.3 rebounds per game and averaging 18.4 points per game.
What is a two-way contract in the NBA?
A two-way contract allows a player to be shared between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate, as Cooley was when he split time between the Sacramento Kings and the Reno Bighorns.
Which European countries has Cooley played in?
Cooley has played professionally in Turkey, Spain, Germany, and Italy.