Duke basketball champ Quinn Cook could return to NBA

Quinn Cook's NBA career might not be finished after all.

Matt Giles | Jul 10, 2022

Duke basketball guard Quinn Cook (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)

According to a tweet on Saturday from ESPN senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears, former four-year Duke basketball treasure Quinn Cook will work out for the Sacramento Kings this week in Las Vegas.

The lowly Kings, who haven't reached the NBA Playoffs since 2006, still have three open roster spots for next season. They also invited league veterans Matthew Dellavedova and Shabazz Muhammad.

A two-time NBA champion Duke basketball product

Quinn Cook is no stranger to winning. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound point guard exhibited that pedigree as a senior in college by captaining the 2014-15 Blue Devils to the program's fifth national championship.

Then Cook, who went undrafted in 2015, eventually reached the NBA. He became a member of title-winning squads (Golden State Warriors in 2018 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020) in two of his five seasons in the league.

Although Cook has modest stats as a deep reserve in the pro ranks, it's conceivable a franchise will put stock in his team-first attitude, reliable outside shot, and solid handles, perhaps in the role of a third-string floor general.

But as Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports explained in March, Cook felt the frustration from seeing zero NBA action last season:

"The Warriors worked out Cook in September but went in a different direction. He went to training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers...they released him during the preseason. He spent two months playing in Russia before being released. He signed with the Stockton Kings in the G League in February, but he's still waiting for an NBA team to call."

Well, the Sacramento Kings just gave the 29-year-old that call. Now, it's up to him to make it stick.

Quinn Cook has played for five NBA franchises, averaging 6.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists for his career while shooting 40.8 percent beyond the arc.

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Published Jul 10, 2022

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.