Darryl Cooper

Men's Basketball

'Where Are They Now Wednesday': Darryl Cooper

Throughout the months of January and February, our weekly 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' features will take a look back at members of the 1991 and 2001 men's basketball teams, as well as 2001 women's basketball team as we celebrate the 30-year and 20-year anniversaries of those teams reaching the NCAA Tournament.

After transferring from LSU, Darryl Cooper was a part of two of the greatest seasons in Georgia State history. In two seasons with the Panthers, Cooper averaged 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, starting 45 of 56 games played. In the NCAA Tournament win over No. 6-seed Wisconsin, Cooper scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds, but his magical 4-point play with 48 seconds to play will forever go down as one of the greatest plays in program history. That shot helped the Panthers overcome a 16-point deficit to eventually top the Badgers 50-49.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up to the last 20 years (work, sports, family) since finishing up your time at Georgia State.
After playing for 'Lefty' at Georgia State, I played overseas in Lebanon and Jordan. I enjoyed playing professional basketball overseas as it was a great experience. I played well and led all my teams in scoring. In fact, my first contract and team I played for in Lebanon was alongside fellow Panther Markeal King. While playing in Lebanon, I played against another fellow Panther, Nate Williams. It was a blessing to have shared that experience with those two guys.

After my first season in Lebanon, I started my first real estate company back in Atlanta. I continued to play, but I noticed my passion for business and real estate was gaining momentum. After playing pro for three seasons, my real estate business, and my desire to raise my son kept me in the States. I turned down several contracts to play in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria in order to focus on my family and business.

Between now and then, there have been many peaks and valleys along the way, all which has molded me into the man I am today. Post basketball, my career consists of a Real Estate Appraisal Firm, cell phone repair store, an Import/Export business, and a Real Estate Wholesale and Investing company. I approach business with the same passion that I played with years ago.

Currently, I run a Real Estate Wholesale company and Investment Company in Atlanta. Our focus is to wholesale single family properties and invest in multi-family and other cash flowing commercial property. In comparison to my mentors and larger companies, my company is a small fish in a big pond, but I am confident that my team and I will accomplish our 2021 company goals. I am also blessed with two amazing kids. My son, Darryl E. Cooper, is now 18 years old and an outstanding young man. He is a high school senior at The Wilson Academy and has been accepted into several universities. Most recently, he was accepted into Howard University. He plays basketball, is a debate team member, teaches and trades stock options, and is learning about real estate. He plans to major in Pre-Law next year.

I also have an amazing daughter, Madeline Cooper who is 13. She is a natural athlete, and last summer we discovered that she is a talented runner. She is also an amazing student with a business mind and a bright future ahead of her just like her brother. In addition to my two kids, I am also am raising my cousin, Edward who is 18 and is also a senior at The Wilson Academy. This kid has a great story and has made tremendous progress since he was 12 when I first got him after his father passed.

As you can tell, I love my kids, and I love raising them. My father passed away in 2008 from cancer. I still feel his spirit and can see his smile. He never missed a game. My mother is an amazing grandmother and I am so blessed to have her in my life. My kids adore her, and she spoils them.

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now?
Georgia State prepared me for life in many ways. Coach Driesell talked basketball, but he also talked to us about life, and a lot of those talks stick with you forever. College is a small window into the real world, and Georgia State was just that for me.

What is one thing you would go back and tell your 2001 self?
One thing I would tell my 2001 self is, "Endure the bad times, you are as tough as you thought you were. Don't quit, and in due time you will reach your dreams."

What was so special about that 2001 team?
That 2001 team was special. The coaches did a great job recruiting and assembling that team. We all accepted our roles and responsibilities to win. At the end of the day, we just wanted to win. It was never about individual awards or stats with any of us. It seemed like we always had someone to step up when we needed it most, especially during 'March Madness.'

You got to play for Naismith Hall of Fame Coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell. Give us your best Coach Driesell story?
I have so many 'Lefty' stories, some personal and some shared with the team. Coach was a guy you wanted to play for because you knew he had your back. He loved us and it showed, and in return we loved him, and it showed in our play. Most locker room or behind the scenes stories stay in the locker room, but I can share one story of 'Lefty.' The team was at 'Lefty's' house eating dinner with him and his lovely wife Joyce when Bernard King walks in and talked to us for hours. Then later that week Moses Malone walks in the locker room. Legendary! That's it, I can't share any other stories, but my guys and I have countless memories and stories about that team and all the coaches.
 
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