LeBron James’ former high school coach, Keith Dambrot, opened up about a pivotal moment in basketball history when LeBron “ruined” the career of once-top prospect Lenny Cooke, on the ‘Hoop Collective’ podcast. The incident took place at the 2001 ABCD Camp, a renowned showcase for elite high school basketball talent, where Cooke and James squared off in a game that would forever alter their trajectories.
“You know, that whole thing with Garfinkel at Five-Star and Lenny Cooke at Adidas—LeBron kind of tore up everybody whenever he felt like it. He probably even ruined Lenny Cooke’s career because, at that point, Lenny was the number one player in the country and LeBron wasn’t. That was right when I left.” (38:58)
At the time, Lenny Cooke was the top-ranked high school player in the country, ahead of future NBA superstars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Cooke had the basketball world at his feet, averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds per game for Northern Valley Regional High School in New Jersey. His dominance on the court had scouts predicting a bright future in the NBA. However, that all began to change during his fateful matchup against a then-16-year-old LeBron James.
Dambrot, who had been coaching LeBron at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, recalls the moment vividly. Cooke had come into the ABCD Camp riding high, having won the MVP award the previous year and boasting a victory over Carmelo Anthony. But his confidence was shattered when LeBron outplayed him, outscoring Cooke 24-9 and sinking a game-winning shot from 35 feet out.
The game marked a turning point for both players. LeBron’s performance launched him into national stardom, eventually leading to his cover appearance on Sports Illustrated as “The Chosen One.” Cooke, on the other hand, saw his basketball career spiral downward after that game.
Once considered a sure-fire NBA prospect, he made a series of questionable decisions, including skipping college to enter the 2002 NBA Draft, where he went undrafted. Cooke never played in the NBA, instead bouncing around in various international and minor leagues.
While LeBron went on to become arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, winning four NBA championships and becoming a 20-time All-Star, Cooke’s career is often viewed as one of unfulfilled potential. Dambrot noted that while LeBron’s dominance played a part in derailing Cooke’s ascent, Cooke’s off-court decisions and unpredictability also contributed to his downfall.
In retrospect, the 2001 ABCD Camp was not just a showcase of talent but a crossroads for two young athletes. One player’s rise led to a legendary career, while the other’s fall became a cautionary tale about lost potential. For LeBron, it was the beginning of his journey to greatness, while for Cooke, it was the start of a downward spiral from which he would never recover.
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