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Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Holden was joined by Senator Bradford to host a reception sponsored by the Congressional Legislative Black Caucus to present a resolution honoring Michael “Coop” Cooper, a 12-year Los Angeles Laker and the only player in Lakers franchise history to win the NBA defensive player of the year award, following his recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Coop never forgot his hometown community of Pasadena where he was raised and is always willing to return and give back. His athletic achievements extend beyond his five NBA Championships and into coaching, mentorship, and philanthropy.
“As a former SDSU Aztec basketball was my first love, and so it gives me great pleasure to honor a player who has not only transformed the game on many levels but also served as a leader from the sidelines. Coop is well deserving of his many accolades and continues to serve as an example of sportsmanship, leadership, talent, and service. On behalf of the CLBC and the State Assembly, I congratulate him on this momumentus achievement!” said Assemblymember Holden.
Drafted by the Lakers in the 1978 NBA draft, Coop became an integral part of the legendary “Showtime” teams of the 1980s, during which time he contributed his defensive skills, playmaking abilities, and shooting prowess alongside future NBA hall-of-famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and James Worthy as the Lakers won NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. After retiring as an NBA player in 1990 and playing a season in Italian professional basketball, Coop returned to the Lakers as Special Assistant to General Manager Jerry West for three years before joining the coaching staff in 1994. He then went on to serve as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors in 2000 and leading the team to its WNBA championship victories in 2001 and 2002.
Over the ensuing years, he has served as a head coach or assistant coach for various professional teams and several educational institutions, including the University of Southern California women’s basketball team, Chadwick School’s boys’ varsity basketball team, and Culver City High School’s basketball program, before being named assistant head coach for the men’s basketball team at California State. The reception took place Monday, August 5, 2024 at the California Museum.
