For 6’5 senior Cooper LaRue, it’s bounce back time! Cooper is now playing basketball at West Forsyth for his father Rusty LaRue. Rusty LaRue is a name that is synonymous with Wake Forest sports. Rusty attended Wake Forest from 1992-1996 where he played quarterback for the football team, pitcher for the baseball team and shooting guard on the basketball team. As a matter of fact, he is only the second player in the ACC history to compete in all three sports during the same season. In addition, Rusty was also a member of the 1998 NBA champion Chicago Bulls.
For Cooper LaRue, it was easy early on following in his father footsteps. During his sophomore year, Cooper averaged 9 PPG and 4 RPG on a team that won the conference championship and the prestigious Frank Spencer tournament. Cooper was an All Conference player where he shot 40% from the 3-point line and 82% from the free throw line. After his sophomore season, Cooper was sidelined the majority of the spring and summer with a nagging ankle injury.
Last September in open gym, Cooper got undercut and had to sit out part of the season with a lower back stress fracture and herniated disk. Even more devastating, Cooper lost his older brother Riley tragically in a car accident. One can only imagine the heartache and pain that Cooper and the LaRue family went through during this time. For the LaRue family, they are a close-knit Christian family and their faith is unbelievable.
Cooper returned to the court from his injury in January and still managed to average 9 PPG. This past spring and summer, Cooper decided to seat out the AAU season to make sure his back was fully healed for his senior season.
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching Cooper numerous times. At our 2014 NC Phenom 150 camp, we wrote the following. “Cooper is a fundamentally sound player who understands the game and plays with a high IQ. He has long arms and a soft shooting touch that extends with deep range. Cooper is a player to place firmly in your SIM CARD.”
Since Cooper took time off this summer to allow his back to fully heal, he hasn’t been on the recruiting radar. However, after his performance at the NC Phenom HS Jamboree, that should quickly change. He led West Forsyth in scoring and the team went 2-0-1 for the three scrimmage games. We watched an energized, passionate, and aggressive Cooper LaRue. He was playing with a chip on his shoulder and while these were just scrimmage games, Cooper treated each game like he was playing for the state championship. For the three scrimmage games, Cooper averaged 15 PPG and showcased his overall skill set. He was knocking down long distance 3-pointers and does what he is known for and that is making winning plays.
In our opinion, Cooper LaRue is a no miss D1 prospect. He has a high basketball IQ, good athleticism, and advanced skill set. In addition, he sports an amazing 4.5 GPA and has made a 1340 (out of 1600) on the SAT score. He’s what every coach would want. He’s a worker in the classroom and on the basketball court. He has overcome some injuries along the way and the loss of older brother. For Cooper LaRue, he’s out to prove his worth and he knows it’s bounce back time.