Wizards’ Xavier Cooks is cooking in the FIBA World Cup
By Cem Yolbulan
The Washington Wizards’ only representative in the FIBA World Cup is making us proud. The Wizards’ 6’8 power forward has been shining brightly for the Australian national team, possibly earning himself rotation minutes for the 2023-24 season.
The group stage in the FIBA World Cup was completed earlier today, with Australia qualifying for the round of 16 in the tough Group E that had Germany, Japan, and Finland. In the impressive group stage performance by the Aussies, perhaps the most surprising performance came from Xavier Cooks.
The 28-year-old Cooks, who signed a guaranteed contract with the Washington Wizards in March 2023, was the best frontcourt player for Australia in the three games they played. Averaging 14 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1 steal in only 19.5 minutes per game, Cooks has the second-highest efficiency rating on the team, only behind international basketball legend Patty Mills. Cooks has shot an impressive 19/29 from the field so far in the tournament.
In fact, in the crucial win-or-go-home game against Japan, Cooks was perhaps the best player on the court, finishing the game with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Cooks’ performance was so impressive that one of the greatest Australian basketball players of all-time Andrew Gaze likened him to Dennis Rodman.
The Rodman comparison may be a bit of a stretch but Cooks certainly gave a boost to Australia’s defense with his energy and hustle. He makes plays on the defensive end, rebounds well, and works very hard.
These are all good qualities to have in a bench player on a young team. The Washington Wizards are short on frontcourt depth, with Daniel Gafford and Mike Muscala being the only traditional centers. Cooks’ emergence and ability to switch across positions can come in handy. Slotting in at power forward or center, Cooks can be a part of the rotation if he can carry this momentum from the FIBA World Cup.
Xavier Cooks and Australia will face off against Slovenia and Luka Doncic in their next game in the round of 16 at 08:10 a.m. on Friday, September 1. Make sure to turn in to ESPN for that one.
