The former HBCU star makes his NBA debut in a loss to the Bulls
U An exciting 122-121 victory for the Bulls over the Trail BlazersThe HBCU star made her debut. Ex Winston-Salem State running back Javonte Cook made the scoresheets for the Blazers in their attempt to get another key win. He finished the game with four points, one assist and a steal. The moment, while brief, is huge for both Cooke and HBCU sports as a whole. Cooke is the first HBCU student to touch the NBA hardwood since Robert Covington, and Cooke’s talent can certainly make him a rotation player for the Blazers as they make a serious playoff push out West.
Cook was a standout for the Winston-Salem State Rams in the CIAA, a blue-blood HBCU hoops program. In the 2021-2022 season, he averaged 17.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and nearly 40% shooting from three-point range. A highlight of his college career was during the CIAA Tournament when he scored a season-high 31 points, leading VSSU to a decisive victory. Prior to his time at VSSU, Cook played for USC-Aiken and Mars Hill University.
Following his time at the college level, Cooke signed with the Iowa Wolves for the 2022-23 season and joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2023 NBA Summer League. Despite a slow start, he closed the summer league with back-to-back double-digit scoring, highlighted by a team-leading 16 points against the Charlotte Hornets. He then signed on the 10th with the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024.
According to Yahoo Sports, the 10th’s contract is a one-year deal with a non-guaranteed minimum salary. It may also include an optional bonus of up to $75,000, which is awarded if the player, after being waived, spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League partner. After that, he signed a two-way contract by Portland Trail Blazers.
In a quote from HBCU Gameday, Cook offered simple advice to HBCU players looking to embark on the same journey as him.
2025-11-20 20:48:00
