SIAM: Cook's buddy, stud FB recruit Trout says Cook is leaving after soph. year

[BigOHawk]

Interesting comments from 4 star DT Trevor Trout, who is from Cook's high school I believe...

If he did end up at Iowa, he could be reunited with a friend from high school, Hawkeye power forward Tyler Cook.

“I haven’t talked to Tyler much about going to Iowa. We don’t talk every day or anything but it’s that Chaminade brotherhood,” Trout said.

Trout doesn’t believe Cook will be with the Hawkeyes by the time he gets there.

“He’s going to the NBA after next year. After next year, he’ll be in the NBA. He could have been a Top 25 pick this year had he not gotten hurt,” Trout said.

 

[BigOHawk]

I guess I created a new acronym...Sorry If Already Mentioned! Ha!

 

[ccrawford117]

He has the obvious athleticism to make the jump. I'd like to see him improve defensively and refine his offensive game during the next season, which I'm sure he will

 

[HerkyHopeful]

He's not a top 25 pick. Establish a long range jumper, consistent defense and rebounding and we can talk. Those three things are all very doable assuming he continues to improve scoring around the basket

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

He's got a loooong way to go. Here are his season statistics:

MIN FGM-FGA FG% 3PM-3PA 3P% FTM-FTA FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
24.5 4.7-8.6 .554 0.1-0.3 .250 2.7-4.5 .598 5.3 1.0 0.4 0.7 2.5 2.4 12.3

As a 6'9" power forward in the NBA you either need to defend or shoot at a very high level. He does neither.

 

[jasonrann]

He better get to work then.

 

[33hawkfan]

Interesting comments from 4 star DT Trevor Trout, who is from Cook's high school I believe...

If he did end up at Iowa, he could be reunited with a friend from high school, Hawkeye power forward Tyler Cook.

“I haven’t talked to Tyler much about going to Iowa. We don’t talk every day or anything but it’s that Chaminade brotherhood,” Trout said.

Trout doesn’t believe Cook will be with the Hawkeyes by the time he gets there.

“He’s going to the NBA after next year. After next year, he’ll be in the NBA. He could have been a Top 25 pick this year had he not gotten hurt,” Trout said.

LOL I will not be subscribing to Mr. Trevor Trout's NBA mock draft.

 

[BigOHawk]

LOL I will not be subscribing to Mr. Trevor Trout's NBA mock draft.

That's what I thought, he did say he doesn't talk to him too often so maybe he was just messin' with us Hawks!

 

[GT Hawkaholic]

He's not a top 25 pick. Establish a long range jumper, consistent defense and rebounding and we can talk. Those three things are all very doable assuming he continues to improve scoring around the basket

I agree with this about 100%. Right now Tyler has limited range, rebounds at a mediocre rate and doesn't play much defense (although it improved). He certainly has the ability to make big jumps in these areas with his athleticism but to say he would have been a top 25 pick if not for injury? He broke his finger, he didn't blow out his ACL.

 

[33hawkfan]

Just for some context, here are some forwards projected to go 25th or later in this year's draft: Jonathon Motley, Caleb Swanigan, Justin Jackson, Semi Ojeleye, Jaron Blossomgame. Not to mention a lot of really good guards, like Frank Mason, Nigel Williams-Goss, Josh Hart, Donovan Mitchell, Sindarius Thornwell.

Cook had a great freshman year, but he's not close to being a first round pick of any kind.

 

[StormHawk42]

I read it as one friend propping up another. Doesn't actually sound like he talked to Cook about it.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

If he plays like he did at the end of the year, people will think differently. He closed the year at what 18-18 for FGs? Obviously he's not shooting 100%, but that bodes really well for him having figured out how to be effective.

The biggest negative for me is figuring out the mental challenge of when to pass and when to attack (not that those are mutually exclusive). He turned the ball over too much by committing to attacking, which hurt his overall efficiency. If we can cut his turnovers down by 25-50%, and shoot 75% on free throws, he probably would be gone after next year.

Realistically, we could be looking at the following stat line next year:

15 pts, 7 rebounds , 2 assists, .5 blocks, .8 steals, 2 turnovers -- 60% FGs, 70% FTs

I think that would garner some consideration for the NBA given his athleticism and those aren't huge leaps from this past year.

I do agree with Storm, though, that this is likely someone building up someone he knows and trying to hype him a bit.

 

[33hawkfan]

If he plays like he did at the end of the year, people will think differently. He closed the year at what 18-18 for FGs? Obviously he's not shooting 100%, but that bodes really well for him having figured out how to be effective.

The biggest negative for me is figuring out the mental challenge of when to pass and when to attack (not that those are mutually exclusive). He turned the ball over too much by committing to attacking, which hurt his overall efficiency. If we can cut his turnovers down by 25-50%, and shoot 75% on free throws, he probably would be gone after next year.

Realistically, we could be looking at the following stat line next year:

15 pts, 7 rebounds , 2 assists, .5 blocks, .8 steals, 2 turnovers -- 60% FGs, 70% FTs

I think that would garner some consideration for the NBA given his athleticism and those aren't huge leaps from this past year.

I do agree with Storm, though, that this is likely someone building up someone he knows and trying to hype him a bit.

There's a lot more than just numbers that go into evaluating how a player will do in the NBA. There's lots of really, really good college players who go undrafted each year. If you're a big in the NBA today you need to either be able to space the floor or defend the rim. Cook isn't very good at either at this point. If you can't do either of those things as a big, you better bring some real unique abilities to the table, like being able to defend guards in space or be a terrific passer, and Cook doesn't have those skills yet either. I see him being a four year guy with a chance to sneak in as a late second rounder after he's done here.

 

[Rustys Dad]

When Cook no longer dons the black and gold ... is when I will care ...

 

[33hawkfan]

For a program like Iowa, guys like Cook are absolutely perfect. He will be much better for the program than a one and done, guys like him who are really good but not big time NBA prospects are the types that you can build really good programs around.

 

[NevadaHawk]

I think Cook would have to be a B1G POY and first team all america to be in the top 25 of the NBA draft. He is a very good player and will probably get better by the start of the 2017-18 season but not ready yet for the NBA.

 

[CanadaHawk]

If he plays like he did at the end of the year, people will think differently. He closed the year at what 18-18 for FGs? Obviously he's not shooting 100%, but that bodes really well for him having figured out how to be effective.

The biggest negative for me is figuring out the mental challenge of when to pass and when to attack (not that those are mutually exclusive). He turned the ball over too much by committing to attacking, which hurt his overall efficiency. If we can cut his turnovers down by 25-50%, and shoot 75% on free throws, he probably would be gone after next year.

Realistically, we could be looking at the following stat line next year:

15 pts, 7 rebounds , 2 assists, .5 blocks, .8 steals, 2 turnovers -- 60% FGs, 70% FTs

I think that would garner some consideration for the NBA given his athleticism and those aren't huge leaps from this past year.

I do agree with Storm, though, that this is likely someone building up someone he knows and trying to hype him a bit.

If he got 15/7 type stats, Tyler would probably declare for NBA evaluation and discover he needs an outside shot.

 

[Fan In Black]

Kid should concentrate on football because he would make a terrible NBA scout.

 

[HawkAssassin]

If Tyler were to leave, we have enough depth at his position to fill in. Extra pub for producing an NBA player always helps.

Once his jump shot improves enough to play outside more frequently, I think his playmaking ability will really surprise people.

With his athleticism, an NBA team will be willing to work with him defensively. Especially given his talent on offense.

Tyler will be in the league at some point. Next year, we'll wait and see.

 

[33hawkfan]

If Tyler were to leave, we have enough depth at his position to fill in. Extra pub for producing an NBA player always helps.

Once his jump shot improves enough to play outside more frequently, I think his playmaking ability will really surprise people.

With his athleticism, an NBA team will be willing to work with him defensively. Especially given his talent on offense.

Tyler will be in the league at some point. Next year, we'll wait and see.

Is Cook really that special of an athlete by NBA standards? I would say he's not.

 

[2432Hawk]

He better get to work then.

just an fyi.... Tyler Cook was in the gym 2 hours after the loss to TCU working on his game.

 

[djwoody]

Tyler Cook is a terrific kid and player but if Biggie Swanigan is barely a first round pick and he's the B1G player of the year, Mr. Cook has a lot of work to do to be NBA ready.

 

[2432Hawk]

Is Cook really that special of an athlete by NBA standards? I would say he's not.

What I think makes him special is his ability to go right or left and finish with either hand. As he improves his face up game and ball skills he's going to be a load to stop.

Was really impressed late in year with how his feel for game came along on defensive and rebounding where he was lacking. That missed time with broken finger did not let him develop on court as quickly and I think he takes a huge leap forward next year.

 

[Fan In Black]

Is Cook really that special of an athlete by NBA standards? I would say he's not.

Hes not by NBA standards. By Iowa standards he is a unicorn.

 

[2432Hawk]

Tyler Cook is a terrific kid and player but if Biggie Swanigan is barely a first round pick and he's the B1G player of the year, Mr. Cook has a lot of work to do to be NBA ready.

Remember NBA Ready isn't what the NBA drafts on, they draft on potential (especially for guys that enter draft early)

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Agree that Tyler has a lot to work on. If he does enter the draft next year as a likely first rounder, that will be great news short term, because that will mean that he had a great year. I think the physical potential is there to be a MUCH better on the boards and the defensive end. He is powerful near the basket and will finish better even next year. His FT shooting improvement shows me that he can shoot pretty well, and if he can develop a consistent jumper, that would put him in the NBA. That's a lot of ifs and work...

 

[HawkAssassin]

Is Cook really that special of an athlete by NBA standards? I would say he's not.

Special? No

NBA caliber? Yes

 

[jasonrann]

just an fyi.... Tyler Cook was in the gym 2 hours after the loss to TCU working on his game.

That's awesome. Look, I like Cook a lot. However, to go to the NBA next year, it is going to take improvement along the lines of what Swanigan did at Purdue this season. If that happens, we are going to have one hell of a season and I will be the first to congratulate him. IMO, it will take him longer, that’s all I’m saying.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

Tyler Cook may be at Iowa for two or three more years.

 

[StormHawk42]

Hes not by NBA standards. By Iowa standards he is a unicorn.

Not sure why this made me laugh but it did

 

[kceasthawk]

Remember NBA Ready isn't what the NBA drafts on, they draft on potential (especially for guys that enter draft early)

Exactly right, its all about potential in the draft. Something else to remember, guys who are four or five year seniors almost never get drafted in the first round anymore. They want guys with little tread off the tires. Its flash that potential and move on now. Either way, I think Iowa's in a no lose situation here. For Cook to move on, he'll need to make solid improvement, in most of the areas mentioned. If he does, he should have a hell of a nice year, and so should the Hawks. As mentioned there's depth down low, and IF Tyler leaves, there's a decent chance Fran can continue his recent upward trend in recruiting, and bring another four star or better talent.

 

[DanL53]

Tyler should enter the draft next year. But without an agent. See what the people that matter think of him and what he needs to work on.

Admire his high school sort of buddy that doesn't talk to him much sticking up for him though. Reminds me of high school type talk. No worries, not even going to disagree with the kid...why.

 

[whatsup13579er]

Cook had a great freshman year, but he's not close to being a first round pick of any kind.

Cook didn't even have the best freshman season on his team.

 

[cocoem]

God... I hope he is right

 

[r448chlpo]

I am hoping Tyler works hard and makes the kind of progress which makes his departure something he can reasonably consider AND we can reasonably worry about! That said, I hope he is dedicated to an NCAA championship before he leaves... in which case i will personally drive him to the NBA draft session!

 

[HerkyHopeful]

I am hoping Tyler works hard and makes the kind of progress which makes his departure something he can reasonably consider AND we can reasonably worry about! That said, I hope he is dedicated to an NCAA championship before he leaves... in which case i will personally drive him to the NBA draft session!

NCAA doesn't like stuff like that. Rules violation!!!!

 

[twindman]

Cook is NOT NBA ready. He does have the tools to make it in the NBA, tho. With his quicks and leaping ability, he should be a rebounding machine - like Reggie Evans was. I think at this time he hasn't tried to defend and rebound at 100% all the time. If he ever figures this out, look out!

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

U guys are probably gonna yell at me and that's fine. But the fact that a guy with the athleticism of a Tyler Cook type that isn't a one and done either shows what a bad developer Fran is or that Cook is lazy and doesn't work hard enough. It HAS TO be one of them

 

[C/Seahawk]

U guys are probably gonna yell at me and that's fine. But the fact that a guy with the athleticism of a Tyler Cook type that isn't a one and done either shows what a bad developer Fran is or that Cook is lazy and doesn't work hard enough. It HAS TO be one of them

I'm not going to yell, but I will say you failed to include option #3, that being your entire premise is mentally challenged. I'd vote for option 3.

 

[deanhawk88]

Cook didn't even have the best freshman season on his team.

You could argue he had the 3rd best. Pemsl had him in every category except scoring and fouls. Cook played only 7 mins longer for 31 more points this season, iirc. Cordell leads in rbs, ast, blks, stls, fg% w/ fewer TOs. Hope Cook stays 2 more then goes 1st round.