Lenny Cooke was one of the country's best high school basketball players in the 2000s. At one point, he was ranked higher than LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
In the summer of 2000, Cooke gained national prominence when he won Underclassman MVP honors in the ABCD Camp . However, his career would also forever change one year later in the same event when James outdueled him in an epic championship game.
During a recent interview with NBA personality Joy De'Angela, Cooke talked about how his game was similar to Bron's, with the only difference being that the Kid from Akron took it to the next level. When asked if the Young King copied elements of his game, Cooke answered in the positive.
"Absolutely, everybody does. But you know what I mean, one thing that you can't teach is heart. And I have always been a dog. I just feel like he's not a dog. He don't want the ball at the end of the game. He don't wanna be judged for making the the wrong play. I don't care about making the wrong play," said Cooke.
Cook faced LeBron only once
While he is always portrayed as King James' high school rival, Cooke and James never met until that 2001 ABCD Camp. Lenny was born in New Jersey and played for several high schools in that area. Meanwhile, Bron is from Akron and starred at St. Vincent- St. Mary High School in his hometown.
During camp, they played against each other only once, on the final day of the tournament. When De'Angela asked Cooke why he thought King James wasn't a dog, he talked about James' performances in the NBA.
"I mean just watching him in the finals, you know what, big decisions he turn down you know. I mean I just feel like he don't wanna be judged. And who cares, Bro. You're LeBron, whether you make or miss that shot," he added.
Related: "There will be an asterisk next to his name" - Walt Frazier believes Kevin Durant's Warriors tenure had a significant impact on his legacy
Lenny forgot the game-winner over him
Bron has always been criticized for not taking the last shot. But as the four-time NBA champion keeps on saying, he will always make the right basketball play, even if it means passing up the opportunity to take the game-winning shot in favor of passing to a wide-open teammate.
It's interesting, however, that Cooke doesn't mention that during his only game against LeBron in that ABCD Camp Finals, the then-junior from Akron hit a game-winning, buzzer-beating three-pointer with Lenny defending him. That shot, according to former camp director Richard Luchey, took Cooke's soul and, essentially, his basketball career .
Looking back, Lenny had plenty of potential as a basketball player. However, plenty of factors, including academic issues and poor decision-making, led Cooke to declare for the 2002 NBA Draft, which he was unpicked for. One year later, James was drafted first overall by the Cavs, and to this day, LeBron is still in the league, playing at a high level.
Related: Kevin Garnett shares how LeBron can continue to defy Father Time: "Bron could play 10 more years in a Draymond role"
Most Popular
Comments / 0