Tyler Cook to Enter NBA Draft

The Tyler Cook era is likely over at the University of Iowa, as the junior announced today his intentions to retain an agent and enter his name into the NBA draft pool.

Cook led the team in scoring and rebounding at 14.5 ppg and 7.6 rpg this year, and earned second team all-conference honors. He’s one of just nine players in Iowa history to record 1,300 points and 600 rebounds.

While theoretically Cook could return to Iowa for his senior season if he withdraws his name by late May; his statement seems like his decision is pretty final:

After weighing my options both last year and now, my family and I, along with the help of my coaches, have decided to enter the 2019 NBA Draft and hire an agent. This has been my lifelong dream. I am excited and ready to take on the challenge of making these dreams come to fruition. I want to thank each and every person who has supported me throughout my time at the University of Iowa.

The news comes one day after Joe Wieskamp said he’d test the draft waters, but we expect him to return for his sophomore season.

Retaining an agent doesn’t necessarily mean Cook can’t return since players can’t get paid by agents anyway. If an agent does set Cook up with certain resources, like sponsors or workouts or the like, then he’s done.

I’m not going to speculate on Cook’s basketball future outside of Iowa City. I’ve seen him murder many a rim in an Iowa uniform, and I’m just going to enjoy that for now.

Best of luck to Tyler Cook!