Former Forest Park star on the mend
Like any incoming freshman, Chris Cooper has undergone a learning curve in adapting to the rigors of Di-vision I basketball. But Cooper’s orientation as a new member of Old Dominion’s men’s basketball team met another challenge.The 2008 Forest Park High School graduate missed his senior season after having knee surgery a year ago.
After being sidelined, Cooper did not begin playing again until the spring. He’s 100 percent healthy now and getting back to form, but there are still some kinks to work out.
“He’s going to have a nice career as he settles in, but there’s going to have to be a certain level of patience because he did not play a year ago,” Old Dominion head coach Blaine Taylor said.
The 6-foot-9 Cooper got a taste of what to expect over the summer when he participated in a pro-am with ODU’s other incoming freshmen. Cooper twisted an ankle during the pro-am, but Taylor said the experience was a good one for Cooper.
“We have to be careful in how we manage his return,” Taylor said. “You could see in the fall that he had not played a lot of basketball, but everyday he just keeps getting better.”
Cooper is expected to back up 6-10 junior forward Gerald Lee. Lee was a second-team all-Colonial Athletic Association selection last season and averaged team highs in points (12.9) and rebounds (4.6).
The Monarchs, who have participated in a postseason tournament the last four seasons, including two NCAA berths, were picked to finish third in the CAA.
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