One of the players that has made a quick ascension in the Class of 2013 in recent weeks is St. Anthony;s of Jersey City (NJ) guard Hallice Cooke. After playing well in the early July events on the East Coast, Cooke and his teammates at Sports U./Team Izod made a major splash by taking home the 16U crown at the UA Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports. Their championship run was culminated last Friday afternoon with a 51-48 win over the Illinois Wolves to take home the 16U Platinum Bracket Championship.
NBE was able to catch up with Cooke this afternoon to get his thoughts on the impressive early July run and hear the latest on his recruitment, which is starting to explode rapidly. Another impressive 10 days to close July and Cooke could become one of the most heavily recruited players on the East Coast in the 2013 class…
NBE Basketball Report (NBE): What is your current height and weight?
Hallice Cook (HC): I’m 6’3 and my weight is 175.
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NBE: Where do you live?
HC: I live in Union City, New Jersey
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NBE: Can you talk about what is the best part of attending St. Anthony’s and playing for Coach Hurley?
HC: Best part of going to St. Anthony’s is not only do you learn the game of basketball you learn life lessons. And [of course] I get the opportunity to play for a Hall of Fame Coach in Bob Hurley.
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NBE: You play with Sports U/Team Izod…what has been the best part of being with that program?
HC: Best part of being with the program is that we’re a family and we have great chemistry.
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NBE: You really impressed scouts and coaches in the early July evaluation period. What was the highlight for you in the early part of July?
HC: The highlight for me in the early part of July was going out to Milwaukee and winning the whole tournament (UA Summer Jam).
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NBE: Since July period has begun, what new offers have you received? Any new schools showing interest?
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HC: I’ve received offers South Florida, Wagner, St. Joseph’s, VCU and Richmond to go along with Iona and Rice. I’ve received interest from Rutgers, Villanova, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Temple, Virginia Tech, Fordham, La Salle, Quinnipiac, San Fransisco, Robert Morris and others.
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NBE: Any schools more active in your recruitment than others you are considering?
HC: I’m still wide open, but the school that has really come on strong and that is actively recruiting me is VCU. Seton Hall is right there behind them but no offer yet. St. Joe’s, Notre Dame, Iona, Wagner, Richmond and Temple are also doing a good job as well.
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NBE: What are you looking forward to the most to end the month of July and the evaluation period on the court?
HC: I’m looking forward to getting my teammates looks cause there is great talent on my team and just continue to play great basketball so I can carry the momentum over to the High School season.
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NBE: Is there a list of important factors that will be most important in your college decision? Do you have a time frame for your decision?
HC: ACADEMICS is above all factors. Secondly would be who makes me feel at home, building a strong relationship with the coaching staff is BIG. Who recruits me the hardest and who will help me get to the next level as person and as a player. Last but not least a school that I can come in and play right away. As far as a time frame, I’m going to wait until the time is right and until I’m comfortable with a school and staff.
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NBE: Thanks again…have a safe, healthy and productive end to the summer!
HC: No problem, you do the same!
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NBE will certainly keep an eye on Hallice Cooke this summer and during the high school season. You can be certain college coaches will be as well as he is a young man any program would be lucky to have as a member of their basketball team and University!
http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2011-0720/qa-with-class-of-2013-stock-riser-hallice-cooke/
