Kahleah Cooper has showcased her skills and impressed everyone around her at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. After another great team win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cooper’s outstanding play was on full display on the world stage alongside a roster full of WNBA superstars like Breanna Stewart, 2022 WNBA Champion Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and SLAM 240 cover athlete and two-time MVP A’ja Wilson.
“Kah is just electric,” Stewart said. Alexa Filippou of ESPN. “She just seems to crawl to the basket. She can find a gap to get into and make an easy layup. But she’s a spark. Whenever her name is called, she’s ready.”
Wilson also agreed, saying, “Ka is very versatile.”
“We need her to have a spark off the bench. Even in the starting lineup, she’s giving 100 percent. When it comes to USA Basketball, it’s all about knowing your role, and I think it’s really important for us as a rookie to come in and understand her role right away. So we’re tapping into her energy.”
So far, Cooper has played 20.0 minutes per game for Team USA, averaging 11 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the field, 41.7 percent from 3-point range, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals.
U.S. national team coach Cheryl Reeve also commented on Cooper’s recent performance.
“She was absolutely instrumental in our defense, not just the penetration you get,” Reeve said. “She really took some guys out of the game, so kudos to her. She was a big part of it for us.”
Cooper, who received tremendous praise and respect from coaches and teammates alike, spoke about what it meant to him to play for Team USA. Cooper said: “After the disappointing semifinal loss in the playoffs.
“It was important for me to keep the fire burning inside me and not miss a beat,” Cooper said. “I think it’s special, and it’s a big opportunity for me.”
One of Cooper’s personal bucket list goals is to win a gold medal as a member of the U.S. women’s basketball team, and with this list, that goal is undoubtedly within reach. If Team USA can continue to dominate as they have in recent play, they will likely take home a gold medal, and Cooper can check that off his list.
