Rising Stars: Cooper Coates

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University Lab School has become known for producing top-level basketball talent, and Cooper Coates looks to be one of the next big names in line to succeed.

The 6-foot-6 junior forward helped lead the Cubs through a difficult season, ultimately finishing as a No. 11 seed in the Division III (Select) playoffs.

Coates’ highlight reels are full of strong defensive efforts, marked by a plethora of blocks, steals and rebounds. That’s coupled with efficient finishing on the offensive end and a hard-nosed approach to the game, thanks to some invaluable mentorship from his dad—a former college coach.

“(My dad) started coaching me, and I started working hard at it,” says Coates, who compared his game to former and current NBA stars like Tim Duncan, Nikola Jokic and Drew Timme. “Eventually I got good enough that in eighth grade (at Runnels High) I played for the varsity team. Then when I had to transfer to U-High, I played varsity my freshman year and started (varsity) my sophomore and junior year.”

Fulfilling the true student-athlete role, Coates also boasts an impressive 4.2 GPA and was named to the 2023 All-District 6-3A Basketball Team. But his talents don’t stop there.

Coates is also involved in multiple clubs at school, is a member of the University Lab Choir and is a talented musician who has released music on Spotify. He’s also actively involved in First United Methodist Church and has even performed at the Cajun Dome and the Smoothie King Center.

“I’ve played piano since I was in second grade … and then third grade I started writing music,” Coates says. “I’d say what really got me playing piano and singing was Elton John. I want to be a songwriter and a performer. I want to go on tour and play piano and sing.”

Music to our ears.

Read more Rising Stars profiles here.