Flashback: 15 Years Ago - Daequan Cook Becomes NBA Three Point Champion

(Phoenix, Arizona - Former Buckeye Daequan Cook Becomes NBA Three-Point Champion - 2.14.2009)

Dayton's Own: With the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend underway, we wanted to take a flashback look at a former Buckeye winning one of the more prestigious awards in Professional Basketball. It's hard to believe, but this year's event marks the 15th year Anniversary of Dayton Dunbar & Ohio State product Daequan Cook upsetting the field to become the 2009 NBA Three Point Champion! 

Some may recall that Daequan Cook (Image: Interview with basketball legend Cheryl Miller at All-Star Weekend) was still a young pup back in 2009. At the young age of 21 years old, Cook was just a few years into his professional career with the Miami Heat. The smooth young shooting guard was operating with a bit of a chip on his shoulder at the time due to doubters in the basketball community questioning the early entry to the NBA along with his overall ability/potential in general. 

 Cook's individual play & results within his role during Ohio State's final four run in the 2006-2007 season failed to match pre-season expectations and did not seem to warrant leaving college ball to test pro waters. Yet, Daequan would join his fellow 'Thad 5' teammates Greg Oden & Mike Conley Jr. in making the jump to the NBA. He surprised some by becoming the 21st overall selection in the first round of the NBA draft by the Miami Heat. As an adept mid & long range shooter while not being anything close to a finished product, Cook comfortably made the Heat where he logged minutes in 59 games, starting in 19 with an average of 8.8 points & 3 rebounds as a rookie. 

Shooting On The Big Stage: Playing alongside superstar Dwayne Wade, Daequan Cook provided an increase in contributions in year two with the Heat with an 11ppg average ahead of the 2009 All-Star Weekend. Some in the basketball community felt Cook was perhaps too young or lacked the name recognition to be a participant in the Footlocker Three-Point Contest, one of the more coveted individual competitions/awards in the NBA. But DC had been used to overcoming doubters (haters) by this point in his career. 

Cook's shooting numbers throughout the season would allow him to be one of the 2009 Three Point contestants along with returning two time Champion Jason Kapono, Mike Bibby, Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason & Danny Granger. The Dayton, Ohio native put everyone on notice right away by winning the first round overall with 18 points. The second round featured Kapono who finished with 14 points, Cook & Lewis who both had a 15 point result, thus eliminating the defending champ.  An extra round was played between Daequan Cook & Rashard Lewis due to the second round tie score. And the final shootout is where Cook really shined as he easily blew out Lewis' mere 7 points by exceeding his first round score with a 19 point tally, officially ending Jason Kapano's two year streak & leaving no doubt as the new NBA Three Point Champion..the first & only Ohio State Buckeye to accomplish that feat. 

Just a month later on March 4th, Cook would have a new 27 point career high performance where he went 6 of 8 from three point range against the Phoenix Suns. 

(Videos - Extended Highlights of Daequan Cook's 3 Point Shootout & 27 point performance)