The Los Angeles Lakers recently announced that they will retire Hall of Fame forward Michael Cooper’s number on January 13, 2025.
A core member of the Showtime-era Lakers, Cooper won five NBA championships. He was named to eight NBA All-Defensive Teams and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
Needless to say, the Hall of Famer was thrilled.
“I’m 68 years old, I had a wonderful career in the NBA, my post-career as a basketball player was fabulous, but I’m living something really fantastic,” Cooper said in a video posted on X.
My thoughts on the personal accolades I received this year.
✅ Hall of Fame Induction
✅ @Lakers I take off my jersey
A big thank you to everyone who supported me throughout my NBA career and after my playing career.
⚡️by @Game time @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/l1L0LBJtY6
— Michael Cooper (@ShowtimeCooper) August 18, 2024
“I was first inducted into the Hall of Fame on October 12th and 13th, and I thought that was the end of my dream. But yesterday, the Lakers gave me one of the most prestigious awards that an NBA player, an athlete, can receive playing for an organization. And I’ve always said that the Lakers are a great organization, and I’m not saying that now because of what they’ve done for me. And what they’ve done is they’re going to retire my jersey on January 13th.”
Cooper went on to share how much the honor meant to him, especially since his number was being retired alongside some of the biggest names in basketball.
“If we weren’t on camera, I would start crying, but I did cry last night. I got to talk about it like an adult. It’s the ultimate reward because it means every time you walk into the arena where the Lakers play, that jersey is going to be up there with some of the best that’s ever played the game. You’ve got Wilt Chamberlain, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobe twice to name a few. And now No. 21.”
Finally, Cooper shared how much it meant to his family, saying that every time they went to a Lakers game, he would be there with them.
“And what I love about it is we all wish we could live forever, but that’s not going to happen. But my kids, my grandkids, my great-great-grandkids, every time they go to a Lakers event, they’re going to see No. 21 hanging up there with the Cooper badge on it. That’s who they are and that’s where it all started. So, like I said, this is my year. I’m going to rejoice in it a little bit because I appreciate the Lakers for that.”
Congratulations, Coop! You deserve it.
More Lakers: Michael Cooper Picks 3 More Lakers for Hall of Fame
