Kahleah Cooper’s ‘Electric’ Play Leads USA into World Cup Quarterfinal
Kahleah Cooper has been showing her skills and impressing everyone around her at the 2022 FIBA women’s World Cup. After coming off another great team win versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cooper’s stellar play has been on full display on the world stage with a roster full of WNBA superstars like Breanna Stewart and 2022 WNBA champs Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and SLAM 240 cover athlete and two-time MVP A’ja Wilson.
“Kah is just electric,” Stewart told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “It seems like she just slithers to the basket. She’s able to find these gaps where she gets in and is able to get an easy layup. But she’s a spark. Whenever her name is called, she’s ready.”
Wilson also chimed in, saying, “Kah is very versatile,”
“We need a spark off the bench from her. Even in the starting lineup, she’s just going 100 percent through and through. When it comes to USA Basketball, it’s all about knowing your role, and I think for it to be a rookie, to come in and instantly understand her role, is huge for us. So we play off her energy.”
So far, Cooper has averaged 11 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the field, and 41.7 percent from three, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals while playing 20.0 minutes per game for Team USA.
Team USA Coach Cheryl Reeve also commented on Cooper’s recent play.
“She has been absolutely pivotal to not only penetration that you get, but her defense,” Reeve said. “She’s really taken some players out of games, and so kudos to her. She’s been an important part for us.”
With such high praise and respect coming from both coach and peers, Cooper spoke about what being able to play for Team USA meant to her. Cooper had this to say: coming off a disappointing semifinal loss in the playoffs.
“It was just important that I didn’t miss a beat and that competitor and that fire in me continued to stay lit,” Cooper said. “I think this is special, and this is a big-time opportunity for me.”
One of Cooper’s personal bucket list goals is to win gold as a part of the US Women’s Basketball team, and with this roster, that goal, without a doubt, is attainable. If Team USA can keep dominating, as their recent play has shown, they will likely bring home gold, and Cooper can check an accomplishment off her list.
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