From hardwood to screen, AZ Compass' Mookie Cook plays young LeBron James in upcoming movie

A star turn is coming for Mookie Cook. And this time, it’s not on the hardwood.

The Oregon-bound basketball player is competing in his final high school tournament with AZ Compass Prep at the GEICO Nationals this week, but there’s plenty on the horizon for the young talent.

Cook portrays a high school-aged LeBron James during his career at St. Vincent-St. Mary in “Shooting Stars,” a movie based on the 2009 book by James and Buzz Bissinger. The movie will be available to stream on Peacock starting June 2.

“I never thought of something like that happening,” Cook said.

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Cook said he was scouted at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League and asked to audition. A 6-foot-8 small forward, Cook bears resemblance to a teenage James.

“I’ve never acted before, so this was definitely something new,” he said.

Filmed last year on location in Ohio, Cook was required to quickly learn the ropes of a demanding schedule while staying on top of his game.

Communicating with Cook throughout the process, AZ Compass head coach Ed Gipson said he was blown away by the production.

“I didn’t know much about acting,” Gipson said. “I didn’t know how much work it takes to put into a movie.”

Cook’s costars were a mix of actors and basketball players, like Michigan guard Jett Howard, who plays Carmelo Anthony in the movie.

During filming, Cook formed genuine bonds with the actors playing his teammates.

“Those are my boys,” he said. “You see the times of us laughing, we messing around – that was natural. I wouldn’t be able to compare this to being on another set with anyone else because like I felt like, genuinely on and off the set, we’re brothers. We still contact each other every day.”

Cook traveled with AZ Compass assistant coach Maurice Reddick, who stayed on top of directing his workouts and drills in the gym. Cook had to put on weight for the role.

“For Mookie to even be out here playing basketball right now is just a blessing from God,” Gipson said. “He had a lot of manhours he had to put in and he was still working out. … It was crazy.”

Gipson reflected on his journey with Cook, even recalling a time when he kicked him off the team over an attitude issue during a tournament. For Gipson, Cook’s apologetic response spoke volumes.

“The growth and development of Mookie Cook, man, it’s beyond what I can say,” Gipson said. “And I had some good guys here, but with everything he got on his shoulders and all the sacrifices he makes for this team, man, that’s my baby. Right there, that’s my baby.”

“Shooting Stars” might have helped Cook grow accustomed to juggling acts. Earlier this week, he competed in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game. But he was right there on Thursday, contributing to the Dragons’ 73-71 win against Long Island Lutheran with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting along with 2 assists, a block, and a steal.

“I’m hard on him, and it’s not easy for Mook because Mook got a lot going on, a lot of moving pieces, but Mook always locked in with us, always,” Gipson said. “If you tell him to go do something, he do it. If I say, ‘Hey Mook, I need you to come off the bench today,’ Mook going to come off the bench. That’s the type of kid he is. That’s how his parents raised him, so, to this team, Mook is everything.”

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In a couple of months, more will become familiar with Cook when they watch his acting debut. Cook is also excited to watch the finished product.

“I just want to see it on the screen,” he said. “I never got to see the full movie, so just being able to see it on the full screen is going to be dope.”

Cook has no plans of changing lanes any time soon. But playing one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet in a biopic? That’s certainly a unique item on a hooper’s resume.

“Basketball is still the main thing, of course," Cook said. "Always will be the main thing, but I never thought another door would open for an opportunity like that."

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: “Shooting Stars”: AZ Compass' Mookie Cook acting debut is as teen LeBron James