High-flying Hawk inspiring teen prospect Harry Cook

• Harry Cook was one of three Aussies to compete at the BWB Camp in Los Angeles
• He represented Australia at the Under-17 Oceania Championships and is currently at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence
• Cook says he tries to model his game after Atlanta Hawks and Australian Boomers big man Jock Landale

It's been a year to remember for one of Australia's basketball superstars in Jock Landale and for one rising talent, who looks up to the NBA big man, it's been exactly the same.

Brisbane's Harry Cook is already making his mark despite only being a teenager with the 6'10" athletic forward on the radars of a bunch of NCAA division one schools following the past 12 months, which saw him represent Australia, move to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and compete at the Basketball Without Borders camp in Los Angeles at NBA All-Star Weekend.

Cook was one of 40 prospects from around the world to showcase his skills at the event and one of three Aussies, alongside Jai Fa'ale and Guer Bar, as well as New Zealand teenager Jackson Ball.

The 17-year-old Brisbane Capitals junior said going to Los Angeles and playing against the best talent in the world was "truly such a blessing".

"It was a great experience especially learning from the coaches that came before us and I’ve learnt that you have to be willing to give 100% whenever you are on the floor because otherwise you get caught out," Cook told basketball.com.au.

"For me personally being selected for this camp was a surreal moment in my career.

"I would have never thought that this would be what I get to do playing the sport I love so it really is surreal.

"This past year has been very eventful for me. Moving to the CoE was the largest change to get used to with living out of home and training with some of the best guys in Australia.

"Playing for Australia (at Oceania Championships in December) was also like a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to wear the green and gold and got to debut which was a great moment.

"I'm now moving into setting myself up for what’s next with college which is an exciting period.

"The CoE has been the biggest difference maker for me as a player. Being able to compete everyday with elite competition not only makes me better but gives me the hunger to want to be better too and just having access to amazing facilities is a blessing."

Cook impressed for Queensland at the Australian Under-20 Championships in Ballarat with his tournament featuring a 24-point, 18-rebound performance in a close loss to Tasmania.

His performances, as well as growth and future potential, have him receiving significant interest from big US colleges.

"I’ve had multiple conversations with Division 1 programs across the Southland, Big Sky, American, MAAC, Northeast, Big South, Missouri Valley, and Mountain West Conferences," his agent, Jono Mines from RISE Sports, said.

"Harry has also received his first official D1 offer from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in the Southland Conference, which is a great start to his recruiting portfolio.

"As a Class of 2027 prospect, most programs are still monitoring his personal skill development as well as building relationships. The consistent feedback has been positive as coaches love his maturity, basketball IQ, and versatility at the centre position. He’s a modern big who can impact the game in multiple ways, and we’re excited about what the next phase brings."

As he makes his way up to the next level, Cook is drawing inspiration from one of Australia's NBA stars, who used a dominant college career at St Mary's to propel himself to the NBA, where he is delivering a career-best year first at the Memphis Grizzlies and now alongside fellow Boomer Dyson Daniels at the Atlanta Hawks after being traded at the deadline.

"I really like the way Jock Landale plays and how he always works hard every possession that’s someone I try to model my game after," Cook said.

He also is someone who doesn't forget those who helped shape his game, praising one of his junior coaches as he spoke about his future goals in the game.

"I have so much respect for my old rep coach back in Brisbane Ash Proud," he said.

"He’s been such an influential person in my basketball journey and always had so much faith in me and always helped me to believe in myself and my potential.

"My near future goal is definitely set on making the Asia Cup (under-18s) team and being able to play for Australia again. Long term goals is to just personally develop and try to expand my skill set as much as I can."