A Hidden Gem in The Land: Sharife Cooper’s Stats are Trending

The Cleveland Cavaliers could have a sleeper on their roster: Sharife Cooper. The combo guard lit up this year’s Summer League and is making a solid case to be a part of the team’s 15-man roster. Judging by how he’s played this summer, he has a fair chance at it. Sharife Cooper’s stats indicate a young player ready to have his own mini-breakout.

Sharife Cooper’s Career Up To Now

Cooper’s Summer Deserves Another Look

Sharife Cooper’s stats in this year’s Summer League averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 48.4% shooting. His highlight was a 27-point explosion in a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. If you add this with his All G-League 2nd team honors last season, the 22-year-old is starting to find his game.

While those numbers are not eye-popping, also consider that Cooper put up 24.9 points and 7.6 boards in last season’s Showcase Cup. He shot 48.3% from the field and 40.2% from deep. This is a big confidence booster for a player who struggled mightily in his first Summer League and his limited minutes in the NBA.

Cooper was drafted in the second round in 2021. Many pundits considered him a “steal” for Atlanta as he was expected to be a late first-round talent. But he could not get into a scoring rhythm and was out of the team in 2022. Cleveland picked him up, and its investment could be ready to yield some dividends.

Sharife Cooper’s Player Profile & Stats

Cooper played one season in Auburn, putting up 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game while earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. Before his lone season in Auburn, he contemplated going professional from high school partly due to an NCAA investigation on his eligibility.

2022-23 G-League Stats

While Cooper barely played in the NBA, he got plenty of minutes with Cleveland’s G-League team: the Cleveland Charge. The team finished fourth in the NBA standings and made it to the semifinals of the playoffs.

REGULAR SEASON

• GP: 22
• MPG: 30.7
• FG%: 43.5%
• 3P%: 36.8%
• FT%: 90.7%
• PPG: 17.1
• RPG: 4.0
• APG: 7.3
• SPG: 0.8
• BPG: 0.3

The Charge averaged 109.7 points per game, and Cooper was essential to the team’s offense. He was more efficient this season and was able to facilitate the offense beyond his own NBA scores. Developing his all-around skills will be beneficial both to his NBA career and the Cavaliers.

Can Cooper Crack the Cavaliers’ Roster?

Cracking the Cavaliers’ 15-man roster could be challenging. Sharife Cooper’s stats are commendable, but he has to beat out the likes of Ty Jerome and Craig Porter Jr., given Cleveland’s depth at guard. He could earn it over the two as he has a higher ceiling.

Cleveland faces much pressure after a disappointing end to its 2022-23 NBA season. The team was mediocre with the NBA’s against-the-spread (ATS) record. Its offense ranked last in the playoffs. Cooper could provide some much-needed scoring punch for this team when it matters.

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