NEWS AND EVENTS

Quinn Cook’s championship moment with Steve Kerr

In a moment that went viral after the Warriors won the NBA title last month, coach Steve Kerr is seen embracing Quinn Cook, a backup point guard who dipped in and out of the G League before seeming to find a secure spot on Golden State in the 2017-18 season.

Kerr told the former Duke guard that he was so happy for him and to always remember that he helped get the team there – especially with his contributions in playoff games. Then, he tells Cook that he belongs in the NBA and can’t wait to coach him next year.

For Cook, it was a dream come true. He’s been working since he went undrafted in 2015 after leading the Blue Devils to a national title to prove that he belonged in the league – turning down, he told For The Win on our podcast on Monday, offers to play overseas (seemingly for a lot more money than the G League) because he knew he wanted his shot.

So what was going through his mind when he heard Kerr tell him he belongs?

“I just appreciate it,” he said on the podcast. “I always appreciate Coach Kerr for the relationship that we established this year. Even before, when I wasn’t playing a lot. He was a guy who would always make sure I was good. We just established a relationship early.

“When I contributed a lot, when I played a lot he would just give me so much confidence every day on a daily basis. We just formed a great relationship and he could always trust me – whether it was playing 30 minutes or playing crucial seven minutes, he could always trust me and we developed a great bond. For him to tell me that, when the confetti is coming down when we won an NBA championship, for him to tell me that, for that to be on his mind, meant a lot to me. I’m happy a camera was right there to capture it.”