Omar Cook

Waived guard Omar Cook.
...
Signed guard Omar Cook.

In an Internet chat room, a Dallas Mavericks fan asked Mavericks owner Mark Cuban what happened with Omar Cook.

Cuban answered the fan by typing, "He has great potential, but we needed someone who could help us now."

It was only two years ago when Cook heard the exact opposite as some of the top college basketball teams in the country pursued him.

...
Patriots guard Omar Cook

He was a 2000 McDonald's All-American, and after a successful freshman season at St. John's University, the talented New York point guard entered the 2001 NBA draft.

The Orlando Magic selected him with the 32nd pick and then traded him to the Denver Nuggets for a future first-round pick.
...
On Monday, Cook arrived in Fayetteville.

He is no longer the pursued.In a short time and at a young age, he's become the pursuer.

"I've been in a situation where I've been controlling everything," Cook said."Now I'm playing in a situation where I have to work for everything.This is a test right now."

Cook is a familiar name in this area.Many recruiting pundits thought Cook would be the latest New York point guard to attend UNC.Cook's final two choices were St. John's and Carolina.But when the Tar Heels signed Adam Boone, Cook stayed close to home.
...
I'm not even in college anymore," Cook said."I was thinking about going there and they signed a guard before me.I guess they regret it now.Who knows what would have happened if I had went to Carolina.Anything could have happened with that team -- Joe Forte, Brendan Haywood -- but I'm really glad I went to St. John's.It gave me an opportunity to really show what I could do."

...
Cook said he expected to stay in school for two years before leaving.But because he had a good freshman season, he felt the NBA was closer than he first thought.Cook averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game, but shot just 36 percent from the floor.

His low shooting percentage was the knock on Cook.St. John's coaches thought another year in school might be better for him.Cook still wanted to see where he stood, so he attended pre-draft camps.

...
I think good point guards are born with instincts Omar has.He needs to work on his outside shot.That's what we're here for."

Even without a great jump shot, Cook said NBA scouts informed him he would be the first guard taken in the draft.Mock drafts had him going from anywhere between 14th and 22nd . Armed with this information, Cook decided not to go back to school.

"He's 19, but made a mature decision to leave," said former Patriots coach Tiny Archibald, who acquired Cook."Omar has been in the league, now all he wants is a chance to go back.The NBDL can give him that.I think he can go back."

Cook has talked with former UNC point guard Jeff McInnis and former Clemson forward Greg Buckner.

Waived guards Carl English and Omar Cook and forward Mike Smith.
...
Signed guard Omar Cook.

Signed guard Omar Cook.

Two years ago, UNC was interested in New York point guard Omar Cook but then-coach Bill Guthridge got tired of waiting for him to make a decision and offered Boone a scholarship.
...
Cook went to St. John's and is now in the NBA.