Quinn Cook shares details of heartwarming relationship with Mike Krzyzewski
Quinn Cook and Mike Krzyzewski won a championship together, but their relationship means more to the former Duke star than just a ring.
The connection the duo have is more than a coach-player relationship. In an appearance on The Herd earlier this week, Cook shares the details of his heartwarming connection with his former coach.
“For me, he taught me more about being a man,” stated Cook. “Obviously, I lost my father at a young age. So, we had a different relationship. You know, Christmas, he’ll make sure they give me a call, and my mother a call. Different anniversaries, different dates. My dad’s birthday. Little things. He still does it to this day.
“He hasn’t missed my dad’s birthday since I committed to him in 2010. Which is something that coaches don’t do.”
Indisputably, Mike Krzyzewski is one of the most important people in Quinn Cook’s life, to this day. The feelings he brought out of Cook off the court mean more than any on court success the former Duke star could’ve had, and that’s what makes Coach K legendary.
Since finishing his career at Duke following capturing a national championship, Cook has won two NBA titles — one with the Golden State Warriors, and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. Currently, the former Duke star suits up for the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League.
Trevor Keels, Paolo Banchero discuss Duke brotherhood
Paolo Banchero and Trevor Keels had amazing seasons as freshmen at Duke before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. Back after their journey came to an end after falling to rival North Carolina in the Final Four, both expressed their love and joy for the Blue Devils program and took a look back at what being a part of one of the most storied programs in college basketball had meant to them.
“Brotherhood, I mean, it’s a family. It’s always been my dream to play for Duke since I was a little kid watching it on TV,” Keels said. “And when I got the offer and I committed, I was all in. I knew it was a brotherhood. But I didn’t know it was this type of level. Like everybody’s family. Everybody wants what’s best for each other. Everybody loves each other. And it’s probably the best group I’ve ever played with.
“Every day they all talk to me, tell me, give me motivation, held me responsible for everything. And I’m happy that I played with them. And I’m happy I was able to come here and play with this group. I can’t ask for nothing else.”
The Duke brotherhood is a relationship forged by bond, not blood, but it runs just as deep. It represents unity and togetherness.
The fact that head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career was coming to a close regardless of how Duke’s season ended, it added a bit more pressure with how the Blue Devils closed out the season. With Coach K not having to keep tabs on recruiting and other typical outside interferences every coach faces, Krzyzewski was able to be all in on this team and his players felt it.
“Yeah, it’s much more than just a saying. That’s what I learned,” Banchero said. “Just coming here, being from the Seattle, the West Coast, far from home, these guys embraced me from day one. And Coach, recruiting me, he lived up to everything he told me.
“It made me a better player. Made me a better man. And I thank him for that. And I’m just proud to have played with this group. We gave it our all, and it sucks we came up short, but I’m proud of the effort that we put in and the way we went out.”