Brilliance often takes the spotlight in Basketball. And when it comes to Zia Cooke, the 21-year-old sensation from the Los Angeles Sparks, brilliance is her middle name. Under the watchful eye of Magic Johnson, part-owner of the Sparks, Cooke has been making waves both on and off the court. Before gracing the WNBA with her presence, Cooke made headlines as a standout player for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the South-eastern Conference.

During her time in college, she earned All-SEC selections not once but twice, and she played a pivotal role in guiding South Carolina to the Final Four of the NCAA tournaments in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Fast forward to the present, and there is no stopping Cooke. At the 2023 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, this young trailblazer continues to amaze fans worldwide. In a recent match, she left spectators in awe with a jaw-dropping mid-air maneuver that was so nice it had to be played twice.

Zia Cooke pulls off a jaw-dropping basketball move

A video shared on the FIBA3x3 X (Twitter) handle captured the moment perfectly, captioned, “Zia Cooke’s layup package is 95 overall! #3x3U23.” The video showed the thrilling game against Kenya, Cooke dribbled across the court, leaving her defender in the dust. With finesse and precision, she executed a magnificent power layup mid-air.

The move was so brilliant that was even played in a slow-motion replay to capture its full perfection. However, that’s not all. Currently, the 21-year-old stands as the top scorer in the U23 3×3 Basketball Championship, boasting an impressive 35 points in just four games. The 2023 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup has been a rollercoaster so far for Team USA.

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Team USA’s rollercoaster ride at the 3×3 U23 World Cup

The game against the Netherlands saw the USA open with a 4-0 run, taking a commanding five-point lead, but the Netherlands made an incredible comeback, securing a 13-11 lead with 4:16 to play. Although the U.S. fought valiantly, they couldn’t quite overcome the deficit, ultimately falling short. Netherlands commanded victory over USA with a 21-19 win. However, Zia Cooke was the shining star for the team, scoring an impressive 11 points.

In their final match, Team USA redeemed themselves with a resounding 21-12 victory over Kenya. Their shooting from beyond the arc was on fire, hitting four long-range shots. Dyaisha Fair led the charge with eight points, including two crucial 2-pointers. Zia Cooke continued her stellar performance, contributing seven points, while Aquira DeCosta added five in this well-balanced effort.

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Where every dribble, pass, and shot counts, Cooke captivates. Magic Johnson, with his vision and investment in the Los Angeles Sparks, has found a gem in Zia Cooke, a rising star.

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