Providence is the latest program to show significant interest in Levi Cook. The 6-foot-10, 286-pound center has lost weight and gained high-major interest since de-committing from West Virginia.
“I definitely like what Providence has to offer, they’re a very reputable program,” said Cook, who is currently at Elev8 Prep in Delray Beach, Fla.
“They have a history of producing players and basketball means a lot up there. I like the way Ed Cooley coaches. He’s got a little fire in his belly. He’s a homegrown product. He’s a motivational guy and he wants them to be great.”
Cook has yet to receive an offer from the Friars, albeit the interest has mounted. Recovering from a debilitating ACL injury, Cook should return to top-shelf form in the ensuing month or two. He said he has no favorite or no concrete “top-5” list right now, simply taking his time with the process.
Cook admitted he might have had a quick-trigger with his initial decision to attend WVU, but he wishes nothing but success for his hometown program.
Virginia Tech, as Cook noted, is showing the most consistent love.
Coach Steve Roccaforte has been a major presence in his recruitment.
“Oh yeah, coach Rock is great people,” said Cook, who will bring a mammoth interior presence alongside 6-foot-11 Australian import Sam Alabakis (Louisiana-Monroe) at Elev8.
“Coach Rock has been recruiting me for about two years. Virginia Tech is close to home and they play in the ACC too, that’s a tough conference.”
Longwood University, buoyed by the tireless work of assistant coach Adam Williams, has also been in active pursuit of the deft-passing big man.
Williams, hailing from Charleston, W.V., played at both Kentucky and Marshall.
“He’s a West Virginia boy so that’s always good,” said Cook, out of Glen Daniel, W.V.
“He’s doing a great job. I’m just undecided right now and taking it step by step. I have no real timetable.”
Cook enhanced his basketball IQ during his stay at Huntington Prep (W.V.). Entrenched in heated battles with then-teammate Thomas Bryant, Cook developed an increased hunger for the 5-spot. The hyper-competitive in-house competition enabled him to savor the true big man position.
“That’s my brother right there,” said Cook of Bryant, now a freshman at Indiana.
“Everyday was a constant battle with him. We would just go at each other in practice, it was always a dogfight. Every day. If he got the better of me, I’d hear about it the next day. If I got the better of (Bryant), he’d hear about it the next day. That’s my brother.”
