Former Gonzaga Target and McDonald's All-American Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 7:11 PM ET

The first two days of the NCAA transfer portal being open have resulted in hundreds of college basketball student-athletes announcing their decision to look elsewhere for the 2025-26 season.

So far the Gonzaga Bulldogs have only had one player - rising junior guard Dusty Stromer - enter the portal, but with four departing seniors Mark Few's team will be plenty active scouring the portal market to replenish the roster for next year.

One potential target the Zags are familiar with is Mookie Cook, a former four-star high school recruit and McDonald's All-American who entered the portal after two injury-riddled seasons in Eugene with Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks.

NEWS: Oregon forward Mookie Cook, a former McDonald’s All-American, is entering the transfer portal, source told @On3sports. https://t.co/KKyY2eCL55 pic.twitter.com/OLTOWiqjjc
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 25, 2025

Cook is a 6'6 forward from Portland who was ranked No. 30 overall in the class of 2023 according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He chose Oregon over a top three that included Gonzaga and Kentucky.

However, Cook's career did not go according to plan at Oregon, as he suffered an injury before he even began his tenure with the Ducks, which limited him to just five games his freshman season.

As a sophomore this past season, Cook appeared in 23 games but was buried on the depth chart on a roster littered with veteran talent - averaging just 4.3 minutes while scoring 27 total points and shooting 44.4% (4-9) from beyond the arc.

However, Cook's pedigree as an elite athlete with a strong 6'6 frame and shooting skill will make him an appealing target in the transfer portal, and after applying for a medical hardship for his 2023-24 season he is expected to have three years of eligibility remaining.

Gonzaga could re-enter the mix for Cook after pursuing him out of high school, especially after losing Khalif Battle, Nolan Hickman, and Dusty Stromer at the wing positions.

Kentucky might rejoin the race as well, and it's worth noting the coach who recruited Cook while at Kentucky - Jai Lucas - is now the head coach at Miami and could try to woo him out east into the ACC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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