Lenny Cooke watched the 2001 NBA draft, pulling for Omar Cook to get drafted where he deserved. That didn’t happen as Cook slipped into the second round, losing out on a guaranteed contract. Regardless, Lenny Cooke found himself thinking about what it would be like to be in the draft.

“Watching it made me think about it, but I was thinking about it already before the draft,” Cooke said of the possibility he could enter the NBA next year.

In the meantime, Lenny is still entertaining interest from college suitors. He said that he would like to sign in the fall. North Carolina, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Miami, Ohio State and Cincinnati are interested. He’s made no attempt to hide his interest in North Carolina, going as far as to call UNC his dream school in recent months. The Heels, like many other programs, are interested. But, Matt Doherty and his staff haven’t made a firm offer. One would think that could change, but Cooke has to take care of his academic situation first and foremost.

In the meantime, Cooke understands what it would take to be successful both professionally and collegiately. “I know that I have to work hard. In order to get to the next level I know that I have to be focused mentally.”

Just what is the next level remains to be seen. Is it college or is it the pros? Each has its positive features, but college lags behind the NBA in one major aspect.

“The night before the draft, they were high school players. The next day they were millionaires.”