Te’a Cooper plans to return to the game of basketball soon. The popular point guard revealed on Instagram Live on July 24 that she planned on playing again next year, and revealed the details exclusively to rolling out.
Next year, Cooper plans to play with Athletes Unlimited, the professional women’s basketball league features 44 of the best women’s professional basketball players and provides them an opportunity to play year-round and stay in U.S. during the offseason. It also offers a domestic stage for players out of the league to showcase their skills against other active top players. Cooper was passed on by the Los Angeles Sparks in May 2022. Former team general manager and coach Derek Fisher cited shooting as one of the reasons for keeping other guards on the roster over her.
Since she was waived, Cooper has continued to remain active in the world of brand deals including a feature in Meta’s “It’s Your World” campaign, which is a celebration of all the ways people use Meta’s universe of tech to make positive things happen in their lives. For the campaign, she had a conversation with Coi Leray about being trendsetters. Cooper spoke to rolling out about it all.
What is going on with this Meta partnership with Coi Leray?
Meta has a campaign called “It’s Your World.” So I joined her world, she joined mine and we combined the two in her new music video with her comic book theme.
We tapped into her world and [talked] about how she’s been transcendent, paved her own lane and how I’ve done the same.
You’ve been doing some hosting gigs recently like in this sit-down with Coi and an appearance on WSLAM with Deja Kelly. Is media something you’re interested in after basketball?
I’m actually the one in my family who always asks questions. I’ve always been a host for my family, which is hilarious to me. It’s kind of natural to me. It’s, it’s different. I love it. I just did something with Essence, too, and it was pretty fun.
What is next for you? Are you looking to play with AU?
Yes, I am. I’m looking to do AU next year, then training camp and getting on a team, the whole process.
How are workouts going right now?
I do at least three a day, and then when I’m out of town, I at least do body stuff. It’s pretty hectic, but it’s cool.
I’m back like I never left, ready.
What is an WNBA team getting in Te’a Cooper?
The same Te’a Cooper, just more polished, more seasoned and hungry. I had time out.
What do you feel when you see players like Kalani Brown get back in the league and staying with a team?
I’m super happy for them because being away, getting cut, whatever the case may be, is really hard to bounce back from because your jobless, and basketball, for some, is your identity, what you are holding onto for providing for yourself and your family. To just lose that and not know when your next opportunity is hard.
