“I feel like you have to have a setback for a major comeback and I’m going to prove that to them and why I’m here.”
Knoxville, Tenn. – Kim Caldwell’s system couldn’t fit Talaysia Cooper any better than it does.
After being sidelined for an entire year, getting to play in front of her family again has been the most rewarding part.
Being back on the court means some much more to Cooper than simply playing the game she loves.
On the court she’s representing the Cooper name in a way it hasn’t been repped before.
Not only is she the first person in her family to play collegiate basketball, but she’s the first member of her family to attend college.
It’s an achievement she wears with pride and describes it as a chip on her shoulder and reminder of who she’s playing for.
“Honestly, they’re very proud of me,” said Cooper. “I just got to continue to make them proud. I know I had a setback last year. But this year, I feel like you have to have a setback for a major comeback and I’m going to prove that to them and why I’m here.”
After an entire year spent on the scout team and far down on the bench Cooper used that setback to splash onto the scene this season.
Four games into the season she was named the SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Players of the Week.
Her first time receiving both awards.
Tuesday, she was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association player of the week following her 23-point performance against Iowa.
That only amplifies the excitement she has on the court, knowing her family is watching and supporting.
“I am! It’s been a whole year and they always supported me through rec, high school, they’ve always been there. A huge support system.”
That support system has been there since the beginning, even there on the nights she was first picking up the sport and spent countless hour by herself at the park sharpening her skills.
“When it came to growing and learning the game of basketball, I used to go to the basketball court everyday, day in and night out, just working, putting the work in to become the player that I am,” said Cooper.
It’s that support that gives her something to play for, knowing her family only want her to be happy and the best version of herself.
Now in a system that demands 100 percent effort 90 seconds a time give or take strengthening more than just her ball skill and IQ while sitting out a year ago has given her a huge advantage this season.
“I feel like last year, it helped me a lot with my mental, just being patient, and knowing everything don’t work on your time. God puts obstacles in your way to make you better because he’s got a bigger picture for you,” said Cooper.
The system Caldwell runs with her pressure defense and up tempo offense seems to be tailor made for Cooper.
After months of strict conditioning and still sprinkling in that same type of cardio into practice.. Cooper says she’s in the best shape of her life and having the green light she said she can just play free.
“She’s given me the green light to do whatever I want, I feel like I can just play my game,” said Cooper.
“The transition has been great. I feel like it fits my style of play. I like to push the pace, I like to get downhill, I like to set my teammates up for good shots. And I like to pick up full court and play defense,” said Cooper.
Currently, she’s averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a 2.8 steals a game through the first 7 contests. You mix that mindset and the talent of her teammates she has high hopes for this program.
After the team returned to the Top 25 for the first time in over a year and have started the season 7-0 they’re certainly trending in the right direction early.
“I love this vibe,” said Cooper. “Because I feel like this is a team that wants to win. I feel like we can win some Natty’s, some SEC Championships.”
You have to see it before you can achieve it.
