Javonte Cooke

Javonte Cooke Bio

Javonte Cooke (born July 11, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Mars Hill Lions and the Winston-Salem State Rams. Cooke has made a name for himself in the basketball community through his impressive performances at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Early Life and Background

Javonte Cooke was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended Covenant Classical School, where he excelled in basketball. As a senior, he averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and 3.5 assists per game, earning the title of SCISA A Player of the Year. His outstanding performance also led him to be named the Most Outstanding Player in the Georgia vs. South Carolina All-Star Game. Cooke’s early exposure to basketball laid a strong foundation for his future career.

Path to Basketball

After high school, Cooke enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken but only redshirted as a freshman before transferring. He played for Mars Hill University from 2018 to 2021, participating in 47 games and making 27 starts. During his time at Mars Hill, he averaged 14 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Cooke reached double figures in scoring in 34 games, with nine games over 20 points during the 2019–2020 season. He was recognized as a preseason All-South Atlantic Conference Second Team selection on November 4, 2020. In the Fall of 2021, Cooke joined Winston-Salem State University, where he played in 23 games and averaged 17.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. His performance helped the team claim the CIAA Southern Division title, and he was named to the All-CIAA Backcourt Team and CIAA All-Tournament Team.

Javonte Cooke Career

Early Career (2022–2024)

Javonte Cooke began his professional career in 2022 when he signed with the Iowa Wolves after a successful tryout. He went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft but joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2023 NBA Summer League. On October 21, 2023, he signed with the Timberwolves but was waived the same day. He rejoined the Iowa Wolves shortly after. Cooke’s early career was marked by his determination and resilience as he navigated the challenges of professional basketball.

Breakthrough (2025–Present)

On October 20, 2025, Cooke signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He made his NBA regular season debut on November 20, 2025, where he scored four points, recorded one assist, and made one steal in a close game against the Chicago Bulls. This debut marked a significant milestone in Cooke’s career, showcasing his potential at the highest level of basketball.

Notable Works and Milestones

Javonte Cooke’s signature achievements include being named First-team All-CIAA in 2022. His journey from college basketball to the NBA highlights his dedication and skill as a player.

Javonte Cooke Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Javonte Cooke has received recognition for his performances, including being named to various collegiate teams and receiving player of the week honors during his time at Winston-Salem State University.

Javonte Cooke Awards Won

Javonte Cooke has achieved notable recognition in his basketball career, including being named First-team All-CIAA in 2022, highlighting his impact on the court during his collegiate career.

Javonte Cooke Family

Javonte Cooke is the son of Jermaine and Valerie Cooke. He has two older siblings, Acqwon and Keyona, who have supported him throughout his basketball journey.