Journal-World File PhotoBrian Cook’s dad, Norm, played basketball at Kansas.
He played the game well, scoring 1,004 points in three seasons and leading the Jayhawks to the 1974 Final Four.
Cook’s uncle, Joe, lettered at Duke.
So what is Brian, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound sophomore McDonald’s All-American out of Lincoln, Ill., doing at the University of Illinois?
Excelling, that’s what.
Journal-World File Photo“I started going to (Illini) games my freshman year in high school. Ever since then I wanted to go to Illinois. Everybody in Central Illinois is a die-hard Illini fan and I’m no different,” said Cook, an easy signee for then-U of I coach Lon Kruger.
Cook grew up in Lincoln, Ill., as did his dad, who left KU for the NBA before his senior year, lasting one year with the Boston Celtics.
Norm has fallen on hard times the past several years.
In fact, an Illinois reporter said he was homeless for a time following some mental health problems. The elder Cook, who supposedly attended Illinois’ Midnight Madness this past preseason, reportedly is currently living in a rooming house in Lincoln, Ill.
Brian, who has no contact with his dad, also said he hasn’t spoken to his uncle in a while.
He’s busy making a name for himself playing hoops at Illinois.
Cook takes averages of 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds into Friday’s Sweet 16 Midwest Regional game against Kansas (9:20 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio).
The forward’s numbers are up from 9.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg averages of a year ago.
“I was weak last year,” said Cook, a sophomore starter for the 26-7 Illini after coming off the bench in half U of I’s games last year. “Last year was motivation to gain 25 pounds. I went to the weight room every day. I lifted everywhere on my body. This summer I’ll work on toning it and getting a lot stronger.”
Cook was despondent after scoring just two points total on 1-of-7 shooting in last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Illini beat Penn before losing to Florida in the second round.
This March, Cook has exploded for 31 points and 16 boards in first-and second-round victories over Northwestern State and UNC Charlotte.
“I was really disappointed I didn’t play well in the NCAA Tournament,” Cook said. “I went to work right after the season ended and it’s paid off for me. We’ve been waiting for this all year. It’s what we worked all offseason for. We’ve had a great season, but we have not accomplished all we want to accomplish.”
He realizes beating KU to advance to Sunday’s Elite Eight game against either Mississippi or Arizona will be a tough task.
Last summer, he was a teammate of KU’s Nick Collison and Drew Gooden on the silver-medal winning 2000 USA Basketball World championship team for players 20 or under. He knows what those two Jayhawks can do on the basketball court.
“They are a bunch of crazy dudes,” Cook said with a laugh.
“You can tell they get along so well. Drew Gooden reminds me of a young Rasheed Wallace. He jumps so well, can shoot. He’s probably more a three (small forward) than four (power forward), really.
“Nick Collison … he’s just a very good basketball player. They both are great players and great people.”
Gooden returned the praise.
“Brian Cook is long, athletic and can shoot it,” Gooden said. “It was fun getting to know him. He’s a great player and will get better and better.”
One publication voted Cook “most likely player from the Big 10 to make it in the NBA.”
He’s not planning on leaving early.
“I want to be the best I can be. Hopefully I will go in the first round and that should be after my senior year,” Cook said. “I want to get my game polished so I can score in and out. My upside is I can score from the three-point line as well as inside.”
A 54.6 percent overall shooter, Cook has made 28 of 74 threes for 37.8 percent.
“Brian has blossomed into one of the better players around,” U of I coach Bill Self said. “His confidence level is sky high right now.”
Cook’s teammates marvel at his ability and future “upside.”
“He’s been great for us,” point guard Frank Williams said. “I would vote him MVP of the league. He’s been terrific.”
“He’s 6-11 with handles and a three-point shot,” forward Damir Krupalija said. “You have to respect the three, and if you respect it too much, he’ll take you to the bucket. You can get lost under the bucket and he’ll post you up and dunk on you. Trust me, in practice he’s pain. It’s painful trying to guard him.”
Cook doesn’t brag about his exploits. His best friend his mother Joyce has taught him humility.
“Brian and I talk about it quite a bit,” Joyce said of her son possibly playing in the NBA someday. “I think it’s a better choice for him to stay around and get more mature mentally and grow physically. He learns more and more the more he’s over here. I think he’ll be much more ready when he’s older. And I want him to get that degree. I’d love that.”
“College is when you are supposed to have the time of your life,” Brian Cook said. “I’m going to stay here and enjoy the ride.”
