From the pitch to the court, Carson Cooper’s soccer background key to defensive impact for MSU

ATLANTA Take one look at Carson Cooper, and its easy to tell hes a basketball player.

He towers over the world at 6-foot-11, with long arms making for a wide wingspan.

Usually, hes using both to take care of some dirty work under the rim.

But Coopers first love in sports wasnt basketball.It was soccer.Related ArticlesOaklands Greg Kampe breaks down the Sweet 16, chances for UM and MSUExtra pressure teaches MSUs Jase Richardson what to expect in tourneyFormer Lions QB Gary Danielson retiring as college football analystTre Holloman helps Michigan State win without flashy statisticsTom Izzo disgusted by timing of transfer portal as Spartans prepare for Sweet 16Until his junior year of high school, Cooper balanced playing both sports.

Even though its been a while since he jogged onto the pitch, his roots in soccer play an integral part in his elite defensive presence on the court.

As Michigan State prepares for a Sweet 16 game against Mississippi this Friday at State Farm Arena, the traits of his soccer days will be integral to the way he makes his impact.It was kind of crazy, not really understanding at the time when I was playing soccer that I was going to be at this level of basketball, Cooper told The Detroit News.Infatuated with soccer from the age of three, Cooper played goalkeeper at Jacksons Northwest High School through his junior year.

He earned all-state honors his sophomore year, with Northwest coach Mike Rambadt telling MLive at the time that Cooper was voted by our team as team MVP.Cooper spent a year with the Michigan Rush U15 team, too.

But when he started to play prep basketball, Cooper hung up his cleats.When I went to Ypsi Prep, that was my separation from soccer, Cooper said.

I was giving 100% to basketball at that point, and I realized that that was what I want to do in the future.Yet that future looks eerily similar to his days as a keeper.

Though green grass has turned to tan flooring and the goal has turned into a basket, playing center for the Spartans shares many similar skills as tending the goal.One of the biggest: footwork.

Much like defending in basketball, Cooper had to think ahead and position himself to make a play.

He couldnt get caught flat-footed or hed surrender a goal.

Through years and years of playing soccer, he built up many of the same skills he uses now to box-out opponents and put himself in position for blocks.I think (its) a testament to why Im so good at moving my feet defensively, and I think thats why its one of my strengths.

And also just like the amount of hand-eye coordination, catching the soccer ball ...

is important in that aspect too.Snagging a rebound amid two or three opponents is no different than plucking a soccer ball between attackers looking to head the ball into the net.

In terms of positioning, Cooper visualizes the quickest path to a spot on the court in much the same as he would the quickest path to make a save.

And all that time spent tracking soccer balls helps him track a basketball shot, too.A diverse sports background played a part in many of Michigan States key players becoming better athletes.

Tre Holloman played football.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

played baseball.

Coen Carr ran track.

Among the Spartans big men, fellow center Szymon Zapala used to play hockey back home in Poland.Hockey really helped me a lot with my physicality, looking for contact, balance itself, Zapala said.

Theres just a lot of things that I believe it really helped me with before I started playing basketball.

...

Once I went into basketball, I was above-average on those aspects, and you add my height into it.In part because of the skills that soccer honed, Cooper has become an elite defender.

According to BartTorvik.com, Coopers defensive box plus/minus of 4.1 is top 10 among all Division I centers.

Of the teams remaining in the Sweet 16, Houstons Joseph Tugler, Auburns Dylan Cardwell and Kentuckys Amari Williams are the only players ranked higher.In Fridays game against Mississippi, Coopers defensive play will be vital against a dynamic but undersized opponent.

The Rebels two true big men Malik Dia and Jaemyn Brakefield make up for shorter height with quickness, versatility and a floor-stretching shot.

Its not a traditional defensive assignment for Cooper, one that may even force him out of his usual comfort zone.

But hes equipped to handle it, at least in the core principles of closing out, boxing-out and rebounding.While he gave up soccer long ago, Cooper still utilizes the skills he learned on the pitch long ago.

As he and the Spartans try to advance in the NCAA Tournament, hell be drawing on those skills even more..

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