Zia Cooke

Image of Zia Cooke
Image of Player Zia Cooke

Player Information

Zia Cooke is an American professional basketball player born on January 9, 2001, in Toledo, Ohio. She played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was a two-time All-SEC selection. Cooke helped South Carolina reach the NCAA Final Four three consecutive years and was drafted tenth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2023 WNBA draft. She currently plays for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.
Birthdate:
9 January 2001
Full Name:
Zia Cooke
Birthplace:
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Nationality:
United States
Gender:
Female
Height (cm):
175
Weight (kg):
74
Parents:
Michelle (Mother)
Education:
Rogers High School (High School), University of South Carolina (College)
Career Started:
2023
Notable Achievements:
NCAA champion (2022), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (2023), Third-team All-American – AP, USBWA (2023), First-team All-SEC (2021, 2023), Second-team All-SEC (2022), SEC All-Freshman Team (2020), McDonald's All-American (2019)
Awards:
Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Win Year 2023), Third-team All-American – AP (Win Year 2023), Third-team All-American – USBWA (Win Year 2023), First-team All-SEC (Win Year 2021), First-team All-SEC (Win Year 2023), Second-team All-SEC (Win Year 2022), SEC All-Freshman Team (Win Year 2020), McDonald's All-American (Win Year 2019)
Current Team:
Seattle Storm
Draft Year:
2023
Drafted By:
Los Angeles Sparks
Previous Teams:
Los Angeles Sparks (From 2023, To 2024), Townsville Fire (From 2024, To 2024), Danilo's Pizza SK (From 2025, To 2025)
Player Active:
From - 2023, To - Present
Sponsors:
H&R Block, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bojangles

Zia Cooke Bio

Zia Cooke is an American professional basketball player born on January 9, 2001, in Toledo, Ohio. Currently, she is a free agent after playing for several teams in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and overseas. Cooke played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks, where she was a standout player, helping her team reach the NCAA Final Four multiple times. She was drafted tenth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2023 WNBA draft, marking the beginning of her professional career.

Early Life and Background

Zia Cooke grew up in Toledo, Ohio, where she initially played for a boys’ youth football team, despite her mother’s wishes for her to join a cheerleading team. By seventh grade, she shifted her focus to basketball, showcasing her talent at Rogers High School. During her high school career, Cooke averaged impressive statistics, including 21.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and five assists per game as a junior. She led her team to a state title, earning accolades such as The Blade Player of the Year. In her senior year, she continued to excel, averaging 21.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, and was recognized as Division II Player of the Year. Cooke’s high school achievements included being selected for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

Path to Basketball

Rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN, Zia Cooke was among the top players in the 2019 class. On November 5, 2018, she committed to play college basketball at the University of South Carolina, choosing the program over offers from more than 60 other colleges. Her decision was a significant step in her basketball journey, setting the stage for her future success.

Zia Cooke Career

Early Career (2023)

Zia Cooke’s professional career began when she was selected tenth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2023 WNBA draft. In her rookie season, she played 39 games, starting four, and averaged 4.8 points in 14.1 minutes per game. Her performance was a promising start, but her role diminished in her second season, where she averaged 3.6 points in 8.9 minutes per game. On February 1, 2025, Cooke was waived by the Sparks.

Breakthrough (2025)

Following her release from the Sparks, Zia Cooke signed with the Seattle Storm on February 12, 2025. She made the opening day roster and was involved in a significant trade on August 5, 2025, which sent her to the Washington Mystics. However, she was waived shortly after and returned to the Storm for the remainder of the season. This period marked a crucial phase in her career as she sought to establish herself in the league.

Notable Works and Milestones

Zia Cooke’s notable achievements include being an NCAA champion in 2022 and receiving the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award in 2023. She was also recognized as a Third-team All-American by the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association in 2023. Her accolades reflect her impact on the court and her potential for future success.

Zia Cooke Award Nominations

Throughout her career, Zia Cooke has received several nominations and accolades, highlighting her talent and contributions to women’s basketball.

Zia Cooke Awards Won

Zia Cooke has achieved significant recognition in her basketball career, including winning the NCAA championship in 2022 and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award in 2023. These awards underscore her skills and dedication to the sport.

Zia Cooke Family

Information about Zia Cooke’s family is limited, but it is known that her mother, Michelle, played a role in shaping her early interests in sports.

Personal Life

Zia Cooke’s personal life remains private, with no publicly available details regarding her relationships or children. However, she has been active in promoting women’s sports and advocating for female athletes through sponsorship deals and initiatives.