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Quinn Cook

Quinn Cook is an American professional player born on March 23, 1993, in , best known as a who achieved success at both the collegiate and professional levels, including winning the 2015 men's basketball championship with and two NBA championships with the in 2018 and the in 2020. Cook began his basketball journey at in , where he played his first three seasons before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in for his senior year, earning McDonald's All-American honors in 2011 after averaging 21.0 points per game. At , he played four seasons from 2011 to 2015, amassing 1,571 points to rank 28th on the school's all-time scoring list, recording 1,000 points and 500 assists as one of only seven Blue Devils to achieve that milestone, and ranking fourth in career free-throw percentage at .853 while playing in 143 games. His senior year was particularly notable, averaging over 15 points per game and shooting 40% from three-point range, culminating in a national title win. Undrafted in the , Cook appeared in preseason games with the before being waived. Following stints in the , he played for the and during the 2016-17 season, then signed a with ahead of their 2017-18 championship season, where he contributed as a key reserve guard. He signed with the Lakers in 2019, helping them secure the 2020 NBA title during the bubble playoffs, and later played for the in 2020-21, appearing in 188 regular-season games with career averages of 6.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Since February 2025, Cook has played for the in the (CBA).

Early years

Early life and family

Quinn Cook was born on March 23, 1993, in Washington, D.C. He is the son of Janet Cook and the late Ted Cook, both graduates of Howard University who met while attending the school. Ted Cook, a former star basketball player at Glenville High School in the late 1970s, served as a significant early influence on his son's athletic pursuits before passing away in 2008 from complications following a medical procedure, when Quinn was 14 years old. Following his father's death, Cook's mother, Janet, supported the family by working two jobs in security and event staffing. Cook has one older sibling, his sister Kelsey. The family resided in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with Cook growing up primarily in Hyattsville, Maryland, within Prince George's County, a region known for its strong basketball culture. Introduced to basketball at a young age by his father, Cook developed his skills through local youth programs and began competing in AAU tournaments during his early childhood in the D.C. area. This foundation in competitive grassroots basketball paved the way for his later transition to .

High school career

Quinn Cook began his high school career at in , where he played his first three seasons from 2007 to 2010. As a in the 2007-08 season, he averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 assists per game while contributing to a 20-10 team record and a third-place league finish. Over his tenure at DeMatha, the Stags achieved an overall 85-18 record, including a stint as the top-ranked team in during his junior year. As a in the 2009-10 season, Cook elevated his play, averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, earning him recognition as the All-Met Player of the Year. Prior to his senior year, he transferred to the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in , to further develop as a prospect. At Oak Hill in the 2010-11 season, Cook averaged 21.0 points, 10.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, guiding to a 31-4 record and a No. 4 national ranking. His leadership and scoring prowess were highlighted in key matchups, showcasing his growth as a . For his efforts, he was selected to the 2011 and named a MaxPreps Second Team All-American. These accomplishments drew recruitment interest from elite programs, including .

College recruitment

Quinn Cook emerged as one of the top prospects in the class of 2011, ranked No. 31 overall by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI) and No. 38 in the 100. His standout performances at and Oak Hill Academy, where he led his teams to national prominence, drew widespread attention from elite college programs. Cook received scholarship offers from several top-tier programs, including , , , Villanova, , UCLA, , and others such as and UConn. He took official visits to in late summer 2010 and to on October 15, 2010, evaluating the programs' coaching, facilities, and competitive environments during these trips. On November 4, 2010, Cook committed to , selecting the Blue Devils over finalists including , UCLA, and Villanova. His decision was heavily influenced by his strong relationship with head coach and Duke's storied tradition of winning national championships and developing NBA talent. Cook signed his on November 12, 2010, joining a highly touted recruiting class that solidified Duke's status as a powerhouse.

College career

Duke University (2011–2015)

Quinn Cook enrolled at in 2011 as a highly touted recruit. During his freshman season (2011–12), he saw limited action due to the depth at the position, including players like and , playing in 33 games for an average of 11.7 minutes, 4.4 points, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from the field. His role was primarily as a reserve, contributing to Duke's 26–9 regular season record but struggling with a injury that affected his consistency. As a in 2012–13, Cook served as a behind Tyler Thornton, appearing in 36 games without a start and averaging 33.6 minutes, 11.7 points, and 5.3 assists per game with a 41.6% . He showed improvement in playmaking, ranking among Duke's leaders in assists, and earned third-team All-ACC honors for his contributions to the team's 27–7 season. Cook's junior year (2013–14) marked a significant evolution, as he started 24 of 35 games and averaged 29.8 minutes, 11.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 43.2% from the field. He played a key role in Duke's ACC Tournament, averaging 8.0 points and 3.7 assists across the four games, helping the Blue Devils reach the final before losing to Virginia, followed by a second-round NCAA Tournament exit to Mercer. In his senior season (2014–15), Cook was a vital leader and co-captain, starting 28 of 39 games while averaging 35.8 minutes, 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals, with shooting efficiencies of 45.3% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. He earned All-ACC Second Team and Sporting News All-America Second Team honors. His scoring and leadership were instrumental in Duke's 15–3 ACC regular season record and 28–3 overall mark entering the ACC Tournament, where they advanced to the semifinals. Over his four-year Duke career, Cook appeared in 143 games, averaging 27.2 minutes, 11.0 points, and 3.6 assists per game, finishing with 1,571 points and 509 assists to rank among the program's historical leaders in those categories. He earned ACC All-Academic Team honors in 2014 and 2015 for his performance in the classroom alongside his on-court contributions. Cook's versatility and tenacity as a guard were key factors in Duke's successful 2015 NCAA Tournament run, culminating in a national championship.

2015 NCAA Championship

In the 2015 NCAA Tournament, , seeded No. 1 in the South Region, advanced to the championship game with decisive victories, defeating Robert Morris 85–56 in the Round of 64, San Diego State 68–49 in the Round of 32, 63–57 in the Sweet 16, and Gonzaga 66–52 in the . The Blue Devils then reached the , where they overcame Michigan State 81–61 in the semifinals before clinching the national title with a 68–63 win over No. 1-seeded in the championship game on April 6, 2015, at in . As the team's lone senior starter, Quinn Cook provided veteran leadership, averaging 13.5 points, 2.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds across the six games while helping orchestrate Duke's efficient offense. Cook's tournament performances were marked by consistency and timely scoring, including a season-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting against Robert Morris, 15 points with three three-pointers versus San Diego State, 11 points and two assists in the win over , 10 points against Gonzaga, 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting including one three-pointer in the semifinal, and six points in the title game. His defensive efforts contributed to Duke's tournament-leading steals total, as he recorded multiple steals in several contests, including three against Robert Morris. Key moments included Cook's clutch three-pointer assisted by that helped regain momentum in the second half against Gonzaga, staving off a potential upset. Surrounded by highly touted freshmen such as , , , and —who combined for much of the team's scoring—Cook's experience stabilized the lineup during their championship run, marking his first national title after three prior seasons at . Following the victory, Cook earned NABC All-District 2 Second Team honors for his senior season contributions.

Professional career

Early professional years (2015–2017)

Following his pivotal role in Duke's 2015 NCAA Championship victory, Quinn Cook went undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft. In September 2015, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for training camp but was waived on October 24 after appearing in six preseason games. Six days later, on October 30, he joined the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers' NBA G League affiliate, where he made his professional debut on November 14 in a 106–99 loss to the Maine Red Claws, recording 15 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal in 36 minutes. During the 2015–16 G League season, Cook appeared in 43 regular-season games for Canton, averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range, earning him NBA G League Rookie of the Year honors. Cook returned to the Charge for the 2016–17 season after being reacquired on November 1, 2016, following time with other teams during the offseason. In 39 regular-season games, he averaged 26.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, leading the team in scoring and the G League in while helping to a 28–16 record before their playoff exit. Earlier that summer, in July 2016, he participated in the as part of the D-League Select Team. Additionally, Cook attended training camp with the after signing with them on September 24, 2016, though he was waived on October 22 without appearing in regular-season games. On February 26, 2017, Cook signed a 10-day contract with the , marking his NBA debut. Over five games off the bench, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 0.6 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game, including a debut of two points, two rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes during a 96–89 loss to the on February 27. His contract expired on March 8, and he was waived shortly thereafter without a second 10-day deal. On March 19, 2017, Cook signed with the ; the contract was converted to multi-year on April 8, and he was waived on July 25. Cook then returned to the Charge, where in the remaining 10 regular-season games, he averaged 25.1 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, highlighted by a franchise-record 49 points on December 10, 2016, prior to his NBA call-up.

Golden State Warriors (2017–2019)

Quinn Cook signed a with the on October 17, 2017, after spending time with their G League affiliate, the . His strong performances, particularly while filling in for an injured , led the Warriors to convert his contract to a standard two-year, fully guaranteed NBA deal on April 10, 2018. During the 2017–18 regular season, Cook appeared in 33 games for , averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. In the , he contributed off the bench in 17 games, averaging 4.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists, helping the team advance through the postseason. In the against the , Cook played limited minutes across two games, averaging 1.0 point per game, but was part of the Warriors' roster that swept the series to win the —his first NBA title. In the 2018–19 season, Cook solidified his role as a reliable reserve , appearing in 74 games and starting 10 amid injuries to and other key players, while averaging 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 46.5% shooting and 40.5% from three-point range. He provided steady backcourt depth during ' injury-plagued campaign, which still resulted in a Western Conference Finals appearance. In the against the , Cook had a limited but contributing role, averaging 4.8 points over the six games as the Warriors lost the series 4–2. The Warriors waived Cook on July 3, 2019, after rescinding his qualifying offer as part of roster retooling efforts. publicly praised Cook's leadership and poise under pressure, crediting him for stepping up during critical moments in the 2019 playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2021)

On July 6, 2019, Cook signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting him with former Golden State Warriors teammates like LeBron James and providing an opportunity to leverage his championship experience from the Warriors dynasty. During the 2019–20 regular season, he appeared in 44 games off the bench, averaging 5.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 11.5 minutes per game, while shooting 42.5% from the field and contributing to the Lakers' depth as a reliable perimeter shooter. In the NBA bubble playoffs at Walt Disney World, Cook played a supporting role in the Lakers' postseason run, appearing in 6 games and helping stabilize the second unit during their path to the Finals. In the against the , Cook averaged 1.5 points and 1.0 assist across two games, providing key scoring bursts from beyond the arc in limited minutes during the series, which the Lakers won 4–2 to secure their 17th championship. This victory marked Cook's second NBA championship. His contributions in the underscored his value as a presence amid the unique pandemic-era conditions, where he adapted to the isolated environment and rotational demands. Entering the 2020–21 season, Cook's role diminished due to increased competition in the Lakers' backcourt, including the addition of players like and the return of core guards. He was waived on November 19, 2020, prior to his $3 million salary becoming fully guaranteed, allowing the team flexibility under the . The Lakers re-signed him on December 4, 2020, to a one-year deal, where he played in 16 games, averaging 3.0 points in 8.7 minutes per game before being waived again on February 23, 2021, as the team managed roster spots amid ongoing depth chart battles. Over his full tenure with the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, Cook appeared in 60 games, averaging 4.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, often challenged by a crowded guard rotation that limited his consistent playing time. On March 12, 2021, Cook signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by a second 10-day deal on March 22, during which he played in six games, averaging 3.3 points while providing veteran leadership to a young roster. The Cavaliers did not re-sign him after the contracts expired in early April, and he became a free agent; by July 2021, he was no longer on an NBA roster, concluding his time with the team amid continued competition for rotation spots.

International career (2021–present)

After departing the NBA in 2021, Quinn Cook embarked on an career, playing in multiple leagues while aiming to bolster his resume for a potential league return. In August 2021, he signed with Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia's . Over 10 games with the team, Cook averaged 15.2 . During the 2021–22 season, Cook returned to the for a stint with the of the , appearing in 11 games and averaging 23.7 points and 5.8 assists per game. Cook moved to for the 2022–23 season, signing with the of China's . In 14 games, he averaged 11.8 points and 2.9 assists per game before being released on January 11, 2023, contributing to the team's playoff qualification. In March 2024, Cook joined the Gigantes de Carolina of Puerto Rico's BSN for a short stint, averaging 18 across limited appearances. The following month, in April 2024, he signed with the Cangrejeros de Santurce in the BSN, playing 12 games and averaging 16.8 . Over the summer of 2024, Cook competed for in the , where limited details are available but he averaged over 20 in six contests before being released. On March 4, 2025, Cook returned to the by signing with the , where his contract runs through the present season. As of November 2025, in 12 games during the 2024-25 season, he has averaged 16.7 . Cook's endeavors reflect his ongoing pursuit of an NBA comeback, leveraging his experience to maintain high-level production abroad.

National team career

USA Basketball selections

Quinn Cook began his involvement with during his high school years, representing the national program in youth competitions where he demonstrated strong playmaking and scoring abilities. In 2009, Cook was named to the 2009–10 Men's Developmental National Team. He also played in the 2011 on the USA Junior National Select Team, recording 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and three assists in a 92-80 win over the World Select Team. Later in 2009, Cook was selected for the U16 National Team that competed at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in , , where the team won gold. As team captain, he started all five games, averaging 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. The following year, in 2010, Cook captained the USA U17 National Team to gold at the FIBA U17 World Championship in , . Over eight games, he averaged a tournament-leading 7.4 assists per game while contributing to the team's undefeated run. Cook received an invitation to the 2013 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Championship team trials alongside teammates and P.J. Hairston, but he was not selected for the final 12-man roster that won gold in , . In 2015, amid his senior season at leading to an NCAA championship, Cook did not participate in the U19 due to college commitments. At the senior level, Cook was selected to the June/July 2022 Men's World Cup Qualifying team and appeared in two games during the qualifying window, averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 15.4 minutes per game. As of 2025, Cook has not received further senior national team selections following his post-NBA career transition to international leagues. Throughout his USA Basketball tenure, Cook earned two gold medals from his youth competitions.

Playing style and accolades

Playing style

Quinn Cook primarily plays as a , standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, where his quickness and perimeter shooting form the core of his skill set. As a floor general, he excels in orchestrating offensive sets with sharp playmaking vision, averaging 1.6 assists per game over his NBA career while demonstrating strong court awareness to facilitate for teammates. His off-ball movement allows him to create spacing effectively, often relocating for catch-and-shoot opportunities in team-oriented systems. Among his key strengths, Cook stands out as an elite three-point shooter, connecting on 38.8% of his attempts across 188 NBA games, which made him a reliable perimeter threat in high-stakes situations. This shooting prowess, combined with his ability to perform in moments during —such as contributions in the —has solidified his reputation as a dependable reserve who rises to the occasion when starters rest. His quick first step and ball-handling enable effective drives to the basket, though he thrives most in structured offenses that leverage his vision for pick-and-roll execution. Cook's weaknesses, however, include limited athleticism and size, which create defensive vulnerabilities against taller or more explosive guards, often leading to mismatches in situations. His lateral quickness is adequate but not elite, resulting in a career defensive box plus-minus of -2.8, making him a potential liability on switches or against speedier opponents. Early in his career, particularly during his and initial professional stints, he was prone to turnovers due to aggressive shot-hunting, though he improved ball security over time. Throughout his career, Cook evolved from a role at , where he handled primary ball-handling duties and averaged 15.3 points with 2.6 assists as a senior, to a specialized spot-up shooter in the NBA, particularly with the , where his role emphasized off-ball spacing and selective playmaking. In international play since , he has adapted further by taking on more scoring responsibilities as a primary option, utilizing his shooting and quickness to lead offenses abroad. Cook's playing profile draws comparisons to , another undersized who relies on shooting efficiency and basketball IQ rather than athleticism, with both emerging from G League paths to become playoff contributors on teams. Warriors head coach frequently highlighted Cook's leadership and high basketball intelligence, praising his vocal presence in huddles and ability to absorb lessons from veterans like , which enhanced his fit in a system prioritizing team execution over individual dominance.

Career achievements

Quinn Cook's basketball career is marked by multiple championships and individual honors across high school, college, professional, and international levels.

High School

Cook earned recognition as one of the top high school players in the Washington, D.C., area during his time at . Following his junior season in 2009–10, he was named the Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year, the first junior to receive the award in 30 years.

College

At Duke University, Cook contributed to the Blue Devils' 2015 NCAA Division I championship team, where he averaged 15.3 points and 2.6 assists per game as a senior. He received All-ACC honors twice, earning Third Team selection in 2013 and Second Team honors in 2015 from both coaches and media. Additionally, he was named to the Sporting News Second Team All-America in 2015 and the USBWA All-District III Team that year.

Professional (NBA and G League)

In the NBA, Cook secured two championships: the 2017–18 NBA championship with the , and the 2019–20 NBA championship with the . During the 2019–20 season, he reached the 1,000-point milestone in his NBA career. Prior to and alongside his NBA tenure, Cook excelled in the . He was selected as a G League All-Star in 2016 and 2017, winning G League All-Star Game MVP honors in 2017 after scoring 28 points. He also earned First Team All-NBA G League selections in 2017 and 2018, and was named G League Rookie of the Year in 2016.

National Team

Representing in youth competitions, Cook won gold medals with the U16 national team at the 2009 Americas U16 Championship, starting all five games and averaging 15.6 points and 5.0 assists, and with the U17 national team at the 2010 U17 World Championship, where he led the tournament with 7.4 assists per game.

International

In the (CBA), Cook has not won major titles but has participated in playoffs, including with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions during the 2023–24 season, when the team qualified for the postseason. In the 2024–25 season, he joined the in February 2025, averaging 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game in 12 appearances. As of November 2025, Cook continues to play for the , though the team did not win major titles in recent seasons.

Personal life

Cook's parents, Ted and Janet Cook, are both graduates of , where they met. His father, Theodus "Ted" Cook Jr., was a Cleveland native, entrepreneur, and former high school basketball player who died on March 3, 2008, at age 48, following complications from a colon procedure that led to a , when Quinn was 14 years old. He has an older sister, Kelsey.

Career statistics

NBA regular season

Quinn Cook appeared in 188 NBA regular-season games over five seasons from 2016 to 2021, averaging 6.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. His contributions varied by team: with the , he played 107 games and averaged 7.7 points per game; with the , 60 games and 4.6 points per game; during his brief stints with the and combined, 14 games and 5.6 points per game; and with the , 7 games and 6.1 points per game. The following table summarizes his per-game statistics by season:
SeasonTeam(s)GPMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2016–17NOP / DAL1413.4.500.423.4000.51.90.30.05.6
2017–18GSW3322.4.484.442.8802.52.70.80.19.5
2018–19GSW7414.3.465.405.7692.11.60.60.06.9
2019–20LAL4411.5.425.365.7861.21.10.40.05.1
2020–21LAL / CLE236.8.426.423.8750.70.80.30.03.3
Career18814.1.461.408.7951.71.60.60.06.4
In advanced metrics, Cook posted a (PER) of 12.3 and a per 48 minutes (WS/48) of .045 across his NBA regular-season career.

NBA playoffs

Quinn Cook's NBA playoff career consisted of 40 games across three postseason appearances, where he averaged 4.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 9.8 minutes per game. As a reserve , he contributed to three teams, providing spot-up shooting and ball-handling in limited minutes during high-stakes matchups. During the 2018 playoffs with the , Cook appeared in 17 games, averaging 5.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 11.5 minutes. He saw increased production in the Western Conference semifinals against the (7.5 points per game in 5 games) but had minimal involvement in the sweep of the , playing just 2 games for 1.0 point per game overall. In the 2019 playoffs, Cook again played 17 games for , posting averages of 4.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 11.5 minutes. His role expanded in the against the , where he appeared in all 6 games, averaging 4.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field. Cook's 2020 playoff stint with the was shorter, limited to 6 games in the Orlando bubble, where he averaged 2.2 points and 0.8 assists in 4.1 minutes. In the victory over the , he played all 6 games but averaged just 1.5 points in a diminished role amid the team's deep rotation. Across his three championship runs, Cook's per-season playoff statistics are summarized below:
SeasonTeamGPMPGPPGRPGAPG
2017–18GSW1711.55.52.00.9
2018–19GSW1711.54.51.10.8
2019–2064.12.20.20.8
Career409.84.21.10.8

College statistics

Quinn Cook played four seasons at from 2011 to 2015, transitioning from a reserve as a freshman to a key starter in his junior and senior years. As a junior in 2013–14, Cook earned a starting role, contributing significantly to Duke's regular season title. As a senior in 2014–15, he served as the starting for the team, averaging career highs while facilitating the offense in key tournament games. Cook's statistical progression is summarized in the following table, highlighting his and across seasons:
SeasonClassGPPPG
2011–12334.4
2012–133611.7
2013–143511.6
2014–153915.3
Over his college career, Cook appeared in 143 games, averaging 11.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range. In play, Cook's performance notably improved in his final two seasons, where he averaged 10.2 points and 2.4 assists during the 2013–14 regular season, helping Duke secure the conference crown. His senior year tournament stats included 11.5 points per game across three contests, underscoring his role in postseason success. Non-conference games featured efficient scoring, with a 42.1% in 2014–15 exhibitions against major opponents.