Te’a Cooper is a professional basketball player from the United States, known for her tenure with the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She has a distinguished collegiate career, having played for the Baylor Lady Bears, South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Born on April 16, 1997, in Newark, New Jersey, Te’a Cooper excelled in high school basketball at McEachern High School. During her freshman year, the team achieved an impressive record of 33-0, remaining undefeated. She demonstrated remarkable skill, shooting 65 percent from the field, and contributed to her team’s success by winning three Georgia 6A State championships in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Additionally, she was honored as co-MVP of the 2015 McDonald’s All-America game.
On April 17, 2020, Te’a Cooper was selected by the Phoenix Mercury as the 18th overall pick in the WNBA draft. However, due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mercury had to make roster cuts in May 2020, which included her departure from the team.
The Los Angeles Sparks seized the opportunity to acquire several players from the Phoenix Mercury, selecting Te’a Cooper to serve as their point guard. Her impressive collegiate 3-point shooting record (56-of-135, 41.5%) demonstrates her potential to contribute significantly to the team, showcasing her abilities as both a point guard and a shooter, despite being a rookie. Te’a Cooper is actively enhancing her skills and gaining valuable experience from her teammates within the Los Angeles Sparks organization.
Currently, Te’a Cooper averages approximately 17 minutes of playtime per game, during which she scores around 7.3 points and records about 2 assists. On August 13, 2020, she delivered one of her standout performances of the season against the Washington Mystics, achieving 10 points (5-of-6 shooting) and 3 assists in just 19 minutes of play. After a three-year break, she is set to return to professional basketball in December 2024 by signing with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in the French Women’s Basketball League for the 2025 season.
Te’a Cooper photos
