SLAM: So the team’s doing well this season. What’s the atmosphere like in the locker room?
JC: Everyone’s excited and hyped to finally be playing in the postseason. We have a great team on our hands right now, so everyone’s excited to see what we can do. And we’re looking to do big things.
SLAM: This is your fourth year playing for head coach Mike Brey, what’s it been like and what kind of a coach is he?
JC: It’s phenomenal. He’s the definition of a player’s coach. A lot of coaches that are good with players aren’t good with X’s and O’s, but he’s great with both of them. It’s pretty rare to see a coach who can be great at those things and still be good to his players, so to have both is just huge.
SLAM: How has the team been able to come together to be ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll, while also poised to make a run in the NCAA Tournament?
JC: Everyone’s done a really good job of understanding their roles, and fulfilling that role to the best of their ability, putting aside individual goals. That’s just how unselfish the team is and I think it really comes from us being great friends off the court as well. We just want what’s best for the team as a whole.
SLAM: What does Notre Dame need to do to have a chance at winning the National Title?
JC: We need to work on consistency a little bit. Sometimes we’ll go through stretches where we won’t score or we’re inconsistent on defense. And we have to make sure we lock it down for all 40 minutes. The games that we do, we can beat anyone.
SLAM: It’s your senior season, so looking back on your time at Notre Dame, what are some of your favorite moments?
JC: One of my favorite memories looking back would be beating Syracuse last season, and beating Pitt when they were the No. 2 team in the country. But I think my all-time favorite memory was the last game that both of my grandparents were able to make before my grandmother passed away. She was a huge supporter and a big part of my life. I played really well that game, and just to have her there, it meant a lot.
SLAM: And how do you want people to remember you at Notre Dame?
JC: Just as a player who plays really hard, puts his all into every possession each game, and doesn’t let anyone out-physical or out-tough him.
SLAM: What was it like to participate in an event like the Four Nations Cup a few years ago in Estonia?
JC: That was one of the better basketball experiences of my life. It was really fun to go out there and get thrown against some professionals. Those games were all fun and really competitive. We beat one of the teams out there and we almost beat the Georgia National team. It was just incredible to go out there and play the way we played, just a great experience.
SLAM: Do you think it helped with your development?
JC: I think it helped a lot. When I realized I could go out there and play with professionals oversees I knew I could come back here to the United States and play with anyone. And I was able to show that really well last year.
SLAM: After this season, what’s next for Jack Cooley? Are you preparing for the NBA Draft at all?
JC: I’m trying not to think about stuff like that right now because the season’s still going on. But once the season’s over, I’m probably going to have to dive into all that and my Dad’s going to be a big part of it and Coach Brey’s going to help me out. But I’m trying not to look past where I’m at right now.
SLAM: If an NBA scout were to ask you, what would you say you could bring to a team in the League?
JC: I think I would tell him that I can bring a lot of physicality. I’ll always bring rebounding and a big defensive presence. I’m always going to try hard on every possession and give my all. I’ll never give up on the defensive end or the offensive glass. Try to help the team as much as I can on offense, but my goal is to help other guys score and get open. I’ll do whatever I have to do to help the team win.
