Zia Cooke

Personal: Daughter of Michelle and Stratman Cooke, Cooke majored in mass communications at South Carolina. She has one brother and was honored with a street named after her in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio.

Other Professional Experience: Cooke was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. As a rookie, she appeared in 39 games with four starts, averaging 4.8 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Cooke showcased her prowess by registering eight double-digit scoring performances, including a pair of 14-point efforts against Phoenix in the season opener and at Seattle in the season finale. She also had three consecutive double-digit scoring efforts from June 30 to July 5, 2023.

International Experience: Cooke holds two Gold medals from her time competing for Team USA. She led the United States to the 2017 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Argentina. She averaged 7.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game with Team USA at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Belarus.

College Experience: Cooke, a four-year letter winner at South Carolina, started all 137 games of her career from 2019-23. She concluded her collegiate career with 1,845 points, 340 rebounds, and 254 assists, finishing as the eighth-leading scorer in program history. Cooke played a pivotal role in South Carolina's success, contributing to three Southeastern Conference regular-season titles and three SEC Tournament crowns. She was part of three NCAA Final Four squads, including the 2022 NCAA champion team. Cooke was a six-time All-America honoree, receiving multiple Third-Team commendations by the Associated Press and USBWA during her senior campaign. A three-time All-SEC pick, she earned First-Team notice as a sophomore and senior, with Second-Team All-SEC distinction in her junior season. Cooke was recognized as the 2022-23 Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year. Throughout her career, she achieved 103 games with double-figure scoring, including 23 outings with 20 or more points. Notably, Cooke averaged 14.1 points against ranked opponents in 52 career games. She reached the 1,000 career points mark in just 74 games, accomplishing the feat against Maryland on December 12, 2021. Cooke's senior season saw her leading South Carolina to a program-record 36 wins, including seven victories against ranked foes. She contributed significantly to the team with nine 20-point games, including three during the postseason. Cooke capped her career with a standout performance, scoring a career-high 31 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, at Georgia on January 2, 2023. This helped lead the Gamecocks to 14 wins over ranked opponents en route to an NCAA title.