MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas Head Men's Basketball Coach Andy Sharpe has announced the hiring of Michael Cooper as a graduate assistant to the program for the upcoming 2019-20 season.
 
Cooper, a native of Monticello, Minnesota, comes to Magnolia after spending the previous four years as a student assistant at Division II and fellow Central Region member Northern State of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). While assisting the Wolves Men's Basketball program, Cooper directly aided the staff in scouting reports, individual workouts, NCAA Recruiting, digital media and game video, and day-to-day practice and game responsibilities.

"I am excited to get to work alongside Michael in the coming years", commented Sharpe.  "Michael is a bright, offensive mind with a ton of energy and a strong background in analytics, but most importantly, Michael has a wining pedigree coming from a highly successful program such as Northern State."
 
During his four years in Aberdeen, South Dakota, NSU compiled an overall record of 102-31 (.766) with an NSIC record of 68-20 (.772). The Wolves won back-to-back NSIC Tournament Championships in 2017-18 and 2018-19, while also appearing in the NCAA Tournament both years as well. The Wolves finished the 2017-18 campaign as National Runner-Up after claiming the Central Region title behind a South Dakota collegiate single-season record 36 wins.
 
Cooper graduated Northern State in the fall of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology along with an Associate Degree in Biotechnology. He will pursue a Master's Degree in Kinesiology from Southern Arkansas. He is the son of Linda Cooper who currently resides in Monticello, MN.