Honey Badgers add NBA G League Guard Cooke to Roster
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday the addition of NBA G League experienced guard Javonte Cooke.
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Cooke previously wrapped up a second season with the Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He signed with the Timberwolves on October 20 and was released the following day and assigned to Iowa where he averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 33.1 minutes in 48 games.
“Javonte (Cooke) has been very impressive in the early stages of his professional career with the Timberwolves G-League affiliate,” said Jermaine Anderson, general manager and vice president of basketball operations. “He’s a dynamic scorer that will be relied upon to help lead our team. We’re looking forward to welcoming Javonte to the family this summer.”
Cooke’s recent campaign with the Iowa Wolves was highlighted by a career-best 41 points while shooting 8-for-11 (.723) from distance and adding six assists vs. Sioux Falls on February 3. He shot .364 (119-for-327) from beyond the arc on the season, achieving 20+ points in 11 contests.
“The Honey Badgers organization has had amazing success helping players reach the next stage in their careers,” said Cooke. “I’m ready to meet the team and coaches and can’t wait for a great summer in Brampton.”
Cooke attended NBA Summer League in 2023 with the Timberwolves, averaging 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 17.0 minutes in five games. Against the Charlotte Hornets on August 15, he scored 16 points on 7-for-9 (.778) shooting from the field.
Following a five-year collegiate career, Cooke had a great start to his professional journey playing with the Iowa Wolves. In 41 games, the guard averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 18.4 minutes, scoring double-figures in 14 contests. He reached the 20-point in two games, including a season-best 24 points with five rebounds and three assists January 6 against Salt Lake City.
Cooke put a stamp on his 87-game collegiate career with Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, averaging 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 30.6 minutes in 22 contests. He helped the Rams claim a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division title as a senior, leading the team and finishing fifth in the conference in scoring. Cooke went 55-for-144 (.382) from three-point territory on the season, ranking first in the CIAA.
Cooke spent the previous three seasons with Mars Hill University where he played in 65 games.
The Honey Badgers round out their free agency signings with the addition of Cooke, joining a roster composed of proven veterans and players looking to make their mark. Cooke becomes the third import player to sign with the club, alongside Zane Waterman, LJ Thorpe, and Petros Melissaratos.
Brampton opens up their 2024 training camp at Humber College on May 16, with the regular season opener taking place on Friday, May 24 at the CAA Centre.
The Brampton Honey Badgers open the 2024 campaign at home against the Niagara River Lions as part of Home Opener Weekend at the CAA Centre. Season tickets, ultimate voucher packages, and single game tickets are available now to witness the best of Canadian professional basketball this summer. For more information contact a Honey Badgers representative at [email protected] or visit www.honeybadgers.ca/tickets.
About the Brampton Honey Badgers
One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.