Playing under Dawn Staley is an enlightening experience. One that players tend to remember and reminisce about for the rest of their lives. There’s a reason the South Carolina coach is in the Hall of Fame. Coach Staley creates winners. She has a unique outlook towards teambuilding and her ability to develop talent over the years… off the charts! After all, the 4x Coach of the Year has sent the likes of A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, and Zia Cooke to the league. Cooke, a 2021-22 NCAA championship winner under the tutelage of Staley, is now competing in the W amongst the biggest pros.
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In an exclusive interview with Andrew Whitelaw of EssentiallySports, Zia Cooke delved into the mental aspect of playing professional basketball and how Dawn Staley’s teachings have helped her stay level-headed. When asked about her biggest growth moment, she spoke about resilience and toughness.
Obviously, something has clicked, because Zia Cooke wasn’t just a ‘role player’ in college. She averaged 13.5 points a night in just 28 minutes per game. Her sophomore year was her best statistically, in which she put up nearly 16 points on 40% from 3PT, but in Cooke’s third season?
South Carolina ended up reaching the promised land! It was a hefty journey, filled with highs and lows for the six-foot-one guard, but something Dawn Staley had said helped Zia Cooke maintain a firm hold on her mental well-being to this day.
Dawn Staley’s words, coupled with the work ethic she instilled into all her players, have been serving Zia Cooke right, even through her journey in the W. The Seattle Storm guard is in her third season in the league and has yet to earn some solid playing time. Ten minutes a game is better than none, of course, but it’s too small an opportunity to make a real impact. But what does Cooke have to say about her role in the league? Let’s find out.
Finding Strength in the Wait, In Zia Cooke’s Words
Working hard, aka hustling, is the common denominator in professional sports. Everyone works hard, from the 12th player on the bench to the MVP of the league. However, what differentiates this effort is the intent behind it–the ones that don’t get a shot are hungrier, more desperate, wanting to prove their mettle. But, as Zia Cooke pointed out in an exclusive interview with Andrew Whitelaw of EssentiallySports, it’s never easy to be in that position.
The biggest challenge for Zia Cooke?
It’s hard dealing with disappointment, rejection, and failure, especially when you’re so close to making the next level.
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Jun 29, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (left) and Seattle Storm guard Zia Cooke (right) battle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Furthermore, the Seattle Storm guard elaborated on what it’s like to work without seeing a light at the end of the tunnel…
And it makes a lot of sense! Players like Zia Cooke, who aren’t established enough and don’t have a proper spot in the rotations, working hard is trusting the process. For someone like A’ja Wilson or Aliyah Boston, they know that they can apply whatever they’re working on, and that’s a different cycle altogether. However, it’s a lot tougher when you’re not even sure if something’s gonna come out of your hard work… Nevertheless, with the way Cooke has been showing out over her limited minutes, we know that the Seattle Storm guard has a bright future ahead of her!
