Photo Courtesy, Zac Cahill, NSU Sport Media
As a high school senior in Midwest City, Christian Cook was living the dream. He was an All-State selectee, averaged 18 points a game and was named the Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year in 2020. So, when he started thinking abut college plans what was it about a school 100 miles from home that drew him to Northeastern State?
“Some of the things I was looking for included the academics and a coaching staff that I felt comfortable with and NSU was the right fit,” said the sophomore guard. “The teachers are here to help, and they’ve really pushed me to work hard plus I really like the community because everyone is nice and friendly here.”
Now in his second season with the RiverHawks, Cook is averaging nearly 16 points a game as a starter under coach Ja Havens.
“When I got here, I knew I could score but now being here has helped me become a better player at both ends of the floor,” said Cook. “The guys on the team are a real brotherhood. We all trust one another and when I get down, they’re always there to pick me up.”
Night in and night out, Cook and the RiverHawks play in one of the toughest college conferences in the country in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association or MIAA.
“This league is really gritty. People here get right up on you and defend you,” said Christian who admitted that pizza is his favorite food (three-meat with pepperoni, sausage and bacon, please).
So, what would be his words of advice to prospective athletes scouting around to see where to play at the next level?
“From my experience I would tell a prospective recruit that if you want to reach your potential as a basketball player, that NSU is the place to be.”
Christian is studying Health and Human Performance with the idea of one day being a coach himself.
“My coaches here have really helped me mature and have pushed me to work hard and it’s paying off so far this year,” said Cook.
He describes himself as being funny, tough and loyal with loyalty being one of the cornerstones of his time so far at NSU.
“Being a RiverHawk means loyalty and a bond between players and coaches.”
