Michael Cooper
Keynote Speaker: Basketball Hall of Famer, Five-Time NBA Champion with the Lakers, WNBA Head Coach, Cancer Survivor & Philanthropist
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Michael Cooper Biography
Drafted out of New Mexico by the Lakers in the third round of the 1978 NBA Draft (60th overall), "Coop" became an integral part of the Showtime Lakers teams of the 1980s with his defensive skills. In a twelve-year career, he was named to eight NBA All Defensive Teams, including five First Teams. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987. He, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, was a member of five Lakers championship teams in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. Michael Cooper was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 and subsequently the Lakers retired Michael Cooper's No. 21 jersey in 2025. Cooper is the only person to win a championship, as either a coach or a player, in the NBA, WNBA, and the NBA D-League.
At 6 ft. 7 in (2 m), 174 lb. (77 kg), the rail-thin Cooper known for his knee-high socks, played shooting guard, small forward, and point guard, although his defensive assignment was usually the other team's best shooter at the 2 or 3 positions. Larry Bird has said that Cooper was the best defender he faced. In his professional career, Cooper averaged 8.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. He earned eight NBA All-Defensive Team selections – including five First Team honors – and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. When Cooper retired, after the 1989-90 season, ranked among the club's all-time top 10 in three-point field goals (428), games played (873), total minutes played (23,635), steals (1033), blocked shots (523), assists (3,666), defensive rebounds (2,028), offensive rebounds (741) and free throw percentage (.833). He was regarded as a defensive genius during his 11-year NBA career and ranked among the NBA leaders in steals and blocked shots which established a Los Angles record low in limiting opponents to only 98.5 ppg in the 1995-96 campaign. A popular player among Lakers fans, home crowds were known to chant, "Coooooooop" whenever he controlled the ball, and the Lakers sometimes ran an alley-oop play for him that was dubbed the "Coop-a-loop." Leaving the team after the 1989-90 season, he then played for the 1990-91 season in Italy for Pallacanestro Virtus Roma in the Italian Series A, averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.8 assists, and 0.3 blocks per game.
Following his 12 years playing career, Cooper began his coaching career as Special Assistant to Lakers' general manager Jerry West for three years before joining the Lakers' coaching staff in March 1993 under Magic Johnson, then with Del Harris from 1994-96. He became an assistant coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks in 1999, and helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, with a record of 20-12 (.625) and was later that year announced head coach. In his first season as head coach, he earned the 2000 WNBA Coach of the Year Award after leading the Sparks to their best record in franchise history (28-4). In more than four seasons, Cooper guided the Sparks to a 116-31 (.789) regular season record, four playoff appearances and three finals appearances. Under his direction, the Sparks became WNBA Champions in 2001 and 2002.
Cooper then did a quick stint as an assistant coach under Jeff Bzdelik with the Denver Nuggets. After 24 games, Bzedelik was fired, and Cooper was named the Nuggets' interim head coach. He remained interim head coach until George Karl was brought in to coach the team about a month later. Cooper was then the head coach for The Albuquerque Thunderbirds for two years (2006–2007). In 2007, Cooper left the Thunderbirds after coaching them to the National Basketball Association Development League Championship in 2006.
Cooper then returned to coaching in the WNBA as the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks. In May 2009, Cooper was named the head coach for the University of Southern California's Women of Troy Basketball Team. He left USC after four years with a 72–57 overall (.56). Then he returned to the WNBA as the head coach for the Atlanta Dream for four seasons, guiding them to two playoff berths in two years.
In 2018, Cooper joined Ice-Cube’s Big 3 League as the Head Coach for the “305” team. In addition, he is currently serving as Associate Head Coach, Men’s Basketball at Cal State LA. Cooper is also an analyst for ABC’s Sports Zone which he has held for over 25 years.
Off the court, Cooper supports the community and donates countless hours to a variety of charitable organizations including The Sky Hook Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Two One Elite AAU Club, New Revelation Church assisting the Eaton Canyon Wildfire victims, Jr. Blind Foundation, LA 84, and his own Michael Cooper’s Foundation and AAU Club (Two One Elite). Cooper is married to his wife Yvonne and has four children.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Michael Cooper and other top speakers and celebrities.
Michael Cooper Speaking Topics
Michael Cooper's philosophy provides a robust framework that can transform business operations and culture:
- Determination establishes the resilience needed to overcome inevitable market challenges.
- Dedication ensures consistent effort toward long-term strategic objectives despite short-term difficulties.
- Desire creates the passionate drive that fuels innovation and inspires teams toward exceptional performance rather than mere adequacy.
- Discipline includes implementing processes and accountability measures and working as a team and knowing your role in order for the team to achieve tangible results through daily execution.
- Finally, effective Decision-making balances analytical reasoning with strategic intuition, enabling organizations to navigate complex choices with clarity and confidence.
When integrated holistically, these five principles create a powerful foundation for sustainable success, cultivating both organizational excellence and a motivated team that can adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining core values and direction.
Showtime Lakers: Sharing his amazing career achievements and intimate Lakers Showtime stories. Great for Q&A sessions.
Told at age 4 that he would never walk due to an accident and that he was too skinny to play basketball, Cooper became one of the greatest NBA defensive players and a Hall of Famer. Most recently battling tongue cancer, Coop is a great example of how to move through the world with resilience.
As the only person to win a championship, as either a coach or a player, in the NBA, WNBA, and the NBA D-League, Coop brings a unique perspective on winning both off and on the court.
Michael Cooper Videos
How do I book Michael Cooper to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael Cooper for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael Cooper, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael Cooper or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Michael Cooper for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michael Cooper, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael Cooper, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Michael Cooper speak about?
Michael Cooper is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Basketball, Hall of Fame, Leadership, Athlete, Sports Coaching, Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Overcoming Adversity and Resilience.
Where does Michael Cooper travel from?
Michael Cooper generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Michael Cooper?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael Cooper for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael Cooper for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael Cooper or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Michael Cooper is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Basketball, Hall of Fame and Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael Cooper for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Michael Cooper generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Muggsy Bogues, Phil Ford and Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael Cooper for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Michael Cooper Speaking Topics
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Five Ds for Success
Michael Cooper's philosophy provides a robust framework that can transform business operations and culture:
- Determination establishes the resilience needed to overcome inevitable market challenges.
- Dedication ensures consistent effort toward long-term strategic objectives despite short-term difficulties.
- Desire creates the passionate drive that fuels innovation and inspires teams toward exceptional performance rather than mere adequacy.
- Discipline includes implementing processes and accountability measures and working as a team and knowing your role in order for the team to achieve tangible results through daily execution.
- Finally, effective Decision-making balances analytical reasoning with strategic intuition, enabling organizations to navigate complex choices with clarity and confidence.
When integrated holistically, these five principles create a powerful foundation for sustainable success, cultivating both organizational excellence and a motivated team that can adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining core values and direction.
-
Showtime Lakers
Showtime Lakers: Sharing his amazing career achievements and intimate Lakers Showtime stories. Great for Q&A sessions.
-
Beating Adversity in Today’s America
Told at age 4 that he would never walk due to an accident and that he was too skinny to play basketball, Cooper became one of the greatest NBA defensive players and a Hall of Famer. Most recently battling tongue cancer, Coop is a great example of how to move through the world with resilience.
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Winning Off and On the Court:
As the only person to win a championship, as either a coach or a player, in the NBA, WNBA, and the NBA D-League, Coop brings a unique perspective on winning both off and on the court.
VIDEO
Michael Cooper Videos
FAQS
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How do I book Michael Cooper to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael Cooper for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael Cooper, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael Cooper or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Michael Cooper for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michael Cooper, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael Cooper, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Michael Cooper speak about?
Michael Cooper is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Basketball, Hall of Fame, Leadership, Athlete, Sports Coaching, Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Overcoming Adversity and Resilience. -
Where does Michael Cooper travel from?
Michael Cooper generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Michael Cooper?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael Cooper for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael Cooper for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael Cooper or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
