Interview: Lenny Cooke on never making it to the NBABy Wilson Morales
December 5, 2013
Coming out this week is the story of ‘Lenny Cooke,’ a gifted athlete, who at one point was considered the best high school player in the country, ahead of players such as Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Amar’e Stoudemire. Through bad decisions, Cooke never made it the pros, and while he was the best player over 10 years ago, filmmaker Adam Shopkorn was around to videotaped the rise and fall of his game.
Later, brothers Josh and Benny Safdie would be included as they edited the footage and put this amazing documentary on ‘Lenny Cooke.’ One of the producers of the film is Cooke’s childhood friend and current Chicago Bulls NBA player Joakim Noah.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Cooke as he talks about his story being told as an inspiration for others to follow the right path.
Going back, what were your first thoughts when you were asked to be filmed?
Lenny Cooke: In 2000, Adam had approached me about doing a film on someone that will be going pro, but it didn’t turn out that way. I accepted it because it was a good idea. They would follow me around and see how someone from high school lives and starts getting ready to go to the next level.
Were you always aware that the camera was on you or did you ever lose sight at some point?
LC: Not really. I gave them the opportunity to see everything that I was doing. I didn’t block anything out. Once I just used to it, I was just myself. There wasn’t anything that I wanted left out.
When folks who don’t know you about the documentary about, what are you telling them?
LC: This documentary will show them that I’ve grown. I’ve matured. I want kids now and the next student-athlete to use me as an example on how to prepare oneself for the next level. It’s a lot of decision making and you have to make choices in your life. Some will be good and some will be bad, but you have to be aware of them.
With your story, there were also adults that helped you with some of those poor decisions.
LC: With me, every decision made, I made on my own. I didn’t want anyone to help me with any decision. At 17 and 18, I felt that I was already grown so I didn’t need anyone to help me with any decision.
As you tried several times to make it to the NBA, what kept your spirits up?
LC: My children. That’s what I live for. If I’m depressed and emotional, then they will be sad and emotional. As long as they are happy, then I’m happy.
Can you talk about Chicago Bulls player Joakim Noah and how he got involved in the film?
LC: Our friendship goes back to when we were 11 years old when I first him. He’s always been supportive of me, and as he got older and accomplished himself as an NBA superstar, he still supports me. He believes this story should be told to the next generation and is willing to push my story out there.
When did you know it wasn’t to going to happen, as far as making it to the NBA?
LC: I gave it up after my Achilles tendon tore. I tore both of them and after that, I said I was done. I always had a goal that I wanted to coach young kids, and am looking to start my own foundation for the community where I live because there’s nothing for the kids t do in the area.
Earlier this year when the film played at the Tribeca Film Festival, you reconnected, after several years, with the woman from Old Tappan, New Jersey who helped raised you. What was that feeling like?
LC: It was good. Debbie (Bortner) helped me as much as she could. She gave me advice back then that I didn’t listen to as far as schooling and things of that nature. At the end of the day, she still loved me, with or without basketball, and I feel the same about her.
Back then, not knowing where any of you were going pro, what was it like playing with Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Amar’e Stoudemire?
LC: I enjoyed it. To be considered the best basketball player in the country was an honor I’ll never forget. These guys that made it to the NBA, I’m proud of those guys because they worked hard to get where they are at. I didn’t work hard and they did. I didn’t put forth the effort and hard work paid off for those guys. That’s why LeBron James is the best basketball player in the NBA. That’s why Carmelo Anthony is the best scorer in the NBA. Those guys worked hard to be where they are at.
Can you talk about working with Josh and Benny Safdie?
LC: I enjoyed working with Josh and Benny. They never got in the way of what I was doing from the time that I met them, especially Josh. Benny is the quiet one, but Josh is the outspoken one and wants to be a part of everything and fits in no matter where we were at.
What are you doing now?
LC: I’m coaching at a middle school for six and seventh graders in my area. I’m traveling around the country with the documentary, doing motivational speeches and things of that nature.
