Blue Devil Talk
Brad Cooper
Men's Basketball
Class: Senior
Hometown: Monticello, N.Y.
High School: Monticello
Brad is senior at Fredonia majoring in Sport Management. He is four-year member of Fredonia State Men's Basketball team. Brad is a team captain and has scored 1,000 points in his collegiate career. He has been named SUNYAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week twice this season. Unfortunately, his senior season has been cut short due to an injury. He was scheduled to have surgery Febr. 5th, and we would like to wish him luck.
Q: What do you plan on doing after you graduate?
A: I want to continue playing basketball. There are a lot of opportunities overseas to play, so I am hoping that I recover from my injury to have that opportunity. I do plan on coaching some day so if I can’t play I would like to coach basketball.
Q: When did you start playing basketball?
A: I started playing at the age of five. My older brother taught me how to play. He would bring me to the playgrounds to play all the time.
Q: What were some highlights of your career?
A: Definitely, last year when we played in the SUNYAC Championship game. When we played in the playoffs no one knew who we were and then we made it to the championship. It was great, and now we are known.
Q: Describe the greatest moment of your athletic career?
A: The greatest moment was when we beat Cortland last year in the semifinal game of the SUNYAC Tournament. No one even thought we would get there and to beat them was even sweeter. We came so far.
Q: Any significance in the number you wear?
A: I always wore the number 11. I chose that number because my big brother wore number 22 and I was half his size. There was one year though, in high school, that I wore number 23 in honor of my best friend who couldn’t be on the team.
Q: Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
A: Yes I do. I always hang up my wristband from high school in my locker before I leave because we are not allowed to wear them during the game. Also, during warm ups, with two or three minutes left, I get three sips of water and kneel down and say a prayer for my friends at home and my grandpa who passed away.
Q: Who has been the most influential person for you, whether as a basketball player or a person?
A: My high school coach has been the most influential person to me. I have known him since I was little and I am still very close to him today. He has influenced me the most about life and basketball. A lot of my values come from him.
Q: As a captain, how do you feel your team is doing this year?
A: Well, we started off great. We had a lot of potential but I went down with an injury and so did many others. We lost five of our six starters so we are struggling now. We have some new players filling in, so now we are trying to find a new identity.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I love cats! I have a cat named Snoop.
Q: Having already achieving 1,000 points and being named the SUNYAC Player of the Week, what would be your ultimate achievement?
A: It would be to win the championship. It was a goal we came so close to last year, only losing by five. This year, we had most of our players back from last year giving us great hope, but we have had a few setbacks with a few injuries, including myself. It's heartbreaking knowing I won't be able to get there myself.
Q: What is going on with your injury?
A: In the game vs. Brockport I ruptured my Achilles. After my injury, Kevin (Saunders) and Julius (Bryant) were also injured, keeping them on the bench as well. I am having surgery February 5th and the recovery period is three to four months.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I will hopefully be coaching college basketball, either Division II or Division III. My long-term goal is to coach Division I, but that takes time so it will just be a stepping stone to where I want to be.
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