Quinn Cook is someone who has had one of the most unique careers in basketball over the last 10 years. In 2015, he became an NCAA champion with Duke and after going undrafted that same year, he eventually found his way through the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans organizations before landing with the Golden State Warriors, where he became an NBA champion.
Cook had to wait a long time for his opportunity, but once he arrived in a healthy, championship environment, he showed that he thrives under those circumstances. Just two seasons later, he contributed to another title with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning his second NBA championship.
Advertisement
The reputation of being a winner followed him throughout his career as he also won two gold medals with youth selections of Team USA, but it was always clear he would likely never be a player in headline roles. Fast forward to today and Cook has been without an NBA contract for five seasons and in an interview with ESPN he admitted how difficult that has been.
“It’s been hard to get me overseas. So, when I finally commit to something and work myself into doing it and finally rationalize that I’m going to be gone a month or two months, I’m ready to go. And then, you can’t go. Not again. But it’s all right. Keep working,” Cook stressed.
Cook last played in the NBA in 2021
The 6-foot-2 guard has traveled across the world since his last NBA deal. He has played in Russia, China and Puerto Rico, experiencing different styles of basketball and learning about various cultures along the way.
Advertisement
However, perhaps the most uncomfortable experience of his basketball journey came recently after he agreed to contract terms in early January to play in Iran. Ultimately he decided not to go because of fears surrounding a potential war between the United States and Iran.
“My whole life, until now, I’ve never had basketball stop for political things that happened in the world,” Cook told “Andscape” in a phone interview. “It’s a first for me, but it opens your eyes that there is more to life than just basketball. People who depend on basketball for happiness and a job, you have to understand that there are bigger things in life.
“Obviously, I’m a basketball player first. That’s my main job. It’s opened my eyes to get into some other things, so when I stop playing in five or six years, I will have the red carpet rolled out to the next things I want to do.”
Advertisement
Political tensions between the United States and Iran, involving several other countries as well, have dominated headlines over the past month, with footage of bombs, rockets and explosions becoming scenes nobody ever wants to see.
Cook decided to withdraw from playing in Iran
Cook experienced firsthand how potential conflict can impact careers as he had agreed to terms in early January to play for Esteghlal BC in the Iranian Basketball Super League in Tehran, but concerns about safety from a possible war between the U.S. and Iran worried Cook and his family.
Advertisement
“I had a deal in Iran, but obviously stuff happened with the government after a back and forth that Iran and America had been having,” Cook said. “So I didn’t feel safe to go. I didn’t end up going and then I got the deal with the BAL. … I didn’t really understand the politics, but now I’m paying attention because it’s really affecting my livelihood.”
The NCAA champion and two-time NBA champion has experienced both the highest highs basketball can offer and some of its darker sides. Still, at 32 years old, that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying the game that has given him so much.
Even though he likely envisioned a different path for his career and probably expected more than averaging 6.4 points and 1.6 assists in 188 NBA games, some things in life simply remain outside of a player’s control.
Advertisement
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.