06-21-2025, 10:01 AM
(06-21-2025, 09:38 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: That's the age old question. Hard to know without actually seeing how he conducts himself in interviews or if it's all agent driven.
His agent, Omar Cooper, has had a history of being obtuse in pursuit of money.
Case in point, Sharife Cooper, his own son. Sharife was ranked a top 20 prospect in the 2020 class and had the makings of being a real player in the NBA. His dad, Omar, elected to become his agent and represent him. At the time, he was the highest ranked prospect to ever go to Auburn.
Only issue was, his dad was also the manager of an AAU team that appeared to funnel their best players to Auburn where he may or may not have gotten kickbacks for doing so.
This wrapped up his son into an NCAA eligibility investigation which took nearly half his freshman season away, AND almost wrapped up into the FBI investigation into the Auburn program where their coach was caught taking bribes.
Cooper was later cleared, but the damage was done. He later declared for the NBA draft that same year at the advice of his father, but because he was a 6'0 guard with only 12 games under his belt a the college level, Sharife was picked 47th in the 2020 draft and is now playing overseas in China.
Point is, even if Bailey is okay, I question his decision making choosing Omar Cooper as his agent.
He is definitely polarizing. You can watch his highlights and one minute be salivating with his talent and the next be scared of using a pick on him. I disagree with his pre draft strategy. It works with Kobe who got his way to LAL but they could be costing him millions. Maybe he never gets that back. I feel like he is top 5-6 though. There are some bad teams who will be willing to role the dice with his upside. We will see though.