With basketball season coming up, three new Dons are eager to make an impression as the University of San Francisco prepares for another exciting basketball season.
After transferring from the University of Oregon, Mookie Cook arrived in San Francisco a few weeks early to settle in and to study the playbook. For Cook, the move was more than a fresh start, it was about opportunity. “I came here to learn, to grow and to put on a show for the fans,” Cook said with enthusiasm. “Every time we step on the court, they keep us going.”
A talented forward with excellent athleticism, Cook has acclimated to San Francisco life with ease. He says that the team chemistry was natural. “The guys welcomed me right away. Everyone’s really close here, I like the chemistry, the jokes and stuff in the locker room and all that keeps us close,” he said.
Fans can see Cook’s artistic side through his hobbies off the court. “I love film photography,” Cook said. “It has more engagement and you can change things up with a film camera.” Beyond basketball, he is focused on improving; he describes his goals as “building each year to be better.”
When it comes to mental preparation before a game, Cook keeps things simple with music. “I listen, I lock in and I visualize what I’m going to do,” he said. Most of all, he credits his mom as his biggest inspiration. “She’s sacrificed so much for me to be here,” he said. “Every time I step on the court, I’m making it worth it for her sacrifice.”
For freshman guard Weilun Zhao, who goes by “Wei”, this season marks not just his college debut, but also his first time living across the ocean. Born in Italy to Chinese parents, Zhao brings a new global perspective to the Dons.
“Everything here is so different from Italy,” Zhao said. “But the teammates and coaches helped me adapt fast. Half the team is international, so they understand what it’s like.”
Zhao’s decision to commit to USF was an easy decision. “In my first meeting with the coaches, I felt a really great energy and culture,” he said. “When I visited, I just had a good vibe. It felt right.”
As a freshman, Zhao is looking forward to experiencing college life and playing college basketball for the first time. “I want to help the team win, keep improving and become the best version of myself,” he said.
His preparation starts long before tip-off. “It begins the day before the game,” Zhao explained. “Eating right, sleeping right, watching the other team’s films and just getting my body ready.” And when it’s time to relax, Zhao turns to his hobbies which are photography and piano. “I like to do a lot of things outside of basketball, I think it’s great to have something that you can go to take your mind off,” he said.
His appreciation extends to everyone around him, “Basketball has taken me to so many places in the world, and I’m really lucky for that. For everyone supporting me, thank you.”
Lastly, standing at seven feet tall, Guillermo Díaz Graham may be one of the most recognizable new faces on campus, but the Spanish-born forward is as friendly and down-to-earth as they come. “People always say I’m a tall guy,” he laughed. “But I’m also a friendly guy. I love meeting people, connecting and exploring the city.”
It seems like a full circle moment for Díaz Graham, who was first recruited by USF as a freshman before beginning his career for the Pittsburgh Panthers. “The coaching staff has always believed in me,” he said. “It just made sense when the time came.”
Díaz Graham has embraced San Francisco with Cook since arriving in May. He emphasized the campus, saying, “The food, the culture, the campus, it’s all beautiful[…] And I love that it’s a smaller arena. You get to see the fans’ faces, it’s more personal,” he said.
Díaz Graham said he looks forward to seeing the War Memorial packed and filled with bright energy, as well as having the opportunity to play and having fun with the team.
Before every game, Díaz Graham talked about how he tries to maintain a balance between concentration and control. “My pre-game ritual? A shower after a walkthrough and a quick nap or power nap before the game,” he said. “It helps me reset.”
When it comes to inspiration, Díaz Graham takes a self-driven approach. “I don’t really have a role model,” he said. “I just try to be my own person and make everything I’ve sacrificed worth it. My friends and family have supported me every step of the way.”
And yes, he’s not afraid to admit it, he enjoys a little self-care. “I get a pedicure every one to two weeks,” he joked. “It’s my way to unwind.” When he’s not in the gym, you might find him golfing or wandering through the city’s parks and cafes exploring the city.
Stay up to date with them this upcoming season, starting with an exhibition game on October 25th!
