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While last year’s Syracuse squad was a pleasant surprise, it was the recruiting hauls of the last two seasons anticipated by college hoops insiders across the nation. Alongside Fab Melo, Dion Waiters and C.J. Fair, the Orange was adding Rakeem Christmas, Trevor Cooney and Michael Carter-Williams. The tandem of Murphkins has sprinkled magic on the recruiting trail. The Fizz takes a week-long look at the incoming basketball class for 2011.
Trevor Cooney was on the Orange radar very early. The Fizz chronicled his journey extensively, and now that he’s committed to SU, we had to reconnect with the Delaware shooting guard. He’s had the ‘Cuse at the top of his list forever; just why was he was all about the Hill?
“When it came down to it I wanted to go to the place I felt most comfortable at, and a place where I had the best relationship with the coaches, and that was definitely Syracuse.”
Cooney is a 6’3″ shooting guard who can pop from deep and finish at the rim, so we wanted to get his take on what he brings to the table.
“I’m definitely a player that can come on and I’m gonna play really hard, and I’m gonna try and be as active as possible in that 2-3 zone. And then also I’m a guy who can shoot it and I’m gonna make the right plays on offense.”
Make no mistake, he sees himself as a difference-maker for this team. He loves the way the current Orange unit works, but can envision something better.
“I think they’re missing a shooter though, and I think I can fill that role pretty well.”
With the anticipation of college just around the corner, Cooney has already abandoned being just a fan when he watches the ‘Cuse on TV. He’s in full tape-breakdown mode as he studies Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche, and Dion Waiters.
“Every time I watch a game now I’m watching how they move within the offense and how they play on defense, just trying to learn as much as I can from those guys.”
With he and the explosive Michael Carter-Williams coming to the ‘Cuse in 2011, we wondered if they might switch up at the guard spots. Cooney was more than open to it.
“I hope to play the point a little bit, be like a combo guard, and Michael could do that to, which is good. So maybe we can flip it around, who knows.”
MCW, Cooney and Rakeem Christmas all seem to have that bond that The Fizz has been impressed with. So how did that all get going?
“We have one thing in common, and it’s Syracuse right now, and also we want to have the best experience up at Syracuse that we all can possibly have and also being teammates. And that starts with being friends really.”
As for the McDonald’s All-American selections last week, Cooney says he isn’t bitter about not making the team, while his future classmates did.
“I definitely missed out on it, but better power to them, I’m really happy to see the both of them make it.”
Unselfish. Hard worker. Dead-eye shooter. Could Trevor Cooney be the next Andy Rautins? Only time will tell.
Posted: Ted Conroy
