AUBURN, Ala. – It's time to meet the Class of 2020. Over the next three weeks, we'll be bringing you Q&As with all five newcomers. Next up is Sharife Cooper, Auburn's first ever McDonald's All-American.
Favorite movie? Daddy's Little Girls
Favorite food? Crab legs
Favorite musical artist? Lil Baby or Lil Durk
What video game are you playing right now? Modern Warfare and NBA 2K
What was the go-to Netflix show during quarantine? Outer Banks, How to Get Away with Murder
Nicknames? Rife, Big Game
Who would you pick to play you in a movie? Michael B. Jordan
What do you plan to major in? Interdisciplinary Studies
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Cooper: I have to take a nap before the game, and I got to get shots up the day before.
When did you start playing basketball?
Cooper: Ever since I can remember I was playing basketball. I remember this place we played near my grandmother's house. I just remember we were super small, and everybody was way bigger than us.
What is the biggest basketball highlight of your career?
Cooper: When we went undefeated and won the state championship. It was just fun. There were a lot of memories off the court, on the court. Everybody was on the same page – no issues, no problems. It was just super fun. I'll always remember that year.
Where does that winning mentality come from for you?
Cooper: I've always been taught nothing matters but winning. Ever since I was young. Points didn't matter – you could score 30 points and lose, and nothing mattered. I've always been taught to win, and everything else comes second.
What did it mean to be selected as a McDonald's All-American?
Cooper: That was a lifetime dream. Just to be even thought about for such a prestigious game – I looked at that game and watched it since I was a kid. We were a week or two away so it definitely hurt not being able to play, but it was still a great honor just to be selected.
Is there a player you model your game after?
Cooper: I wouldn't say model after, but I like to watch guys and take a little bit from them. I like Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard. Those are three I really like to watch and take bits and pieces from their game.
What made you choose Auburn?
Cooper: It was a couple things. Starting off with the coaches believing in me at such a young age. They had a vision, they had a plan, and it was even before I saw the plan. BP told me everything was going to happen. He told me when I was younger, in ninth grade, and I didn't have a lot of offers that a lot of people were going to offer me. These teams were going to offer me. We were going to win. He literally told me what was going to happen in my future, and it really happened. I was just shocked to see how that played out. And then just coming on campus and seeing how open and welcoming they are. I felt like I was on a team and I've been a part of Auburn my whole life when I wasn't even committed yet.
What stood out from your visits to Auburn?
Cooper: When they speak on family and say the Auburn Family, you really feel that. They're not just saying it. It's really an Auburn Family. I can't remember how many times I've heard "War Eagle" when I've been super far from Auburn. The Auburn Family definitely travels. I love it here.
Give me one word to describe Bruce Pearl.
Cooper: Passionate.
How do you think Coach Pearl and his system can help your game?
Cooper: Coach Pearl is upbeat. He's up-tempo. He likes you to play free, be yourself, and that's the exact way I play. I like to react off instinct, and that's what he encourages me to do. I feel like we go hand-in-hand with the way we play.
What can this 2020 class do at Auburn?
Cooper: I feel like a lot of these guys are very underrated. I've seen a lot of the top guys. I've played with every top player in the class. And these guys here are definitely at the top of the class. Just being able to play with them and see how they are on the court, off the court, I really have a lot of respect for this freshmen class. I feel like we're going to turn a lot of heads.