When Kim Caldwell took over as head coach for the Lady Vols last season, she emphasized speed, versatility and effort. Few players embody those qualities better than redshirt junior guard Talaysia Cooper. The Turbeville, South Carolina, native has emerged as one of the most intriguing players on Tennessee’s roster, blending a defensive player with the ability to also be a dynamic scorer.
Cooper, a former five-star recruit with star potential, has found that pressure has become her biggest challenge and her greatest opportunity. After beginning her college career at South Carolina, she came to Tennessee in search of a bigger role. Now in year two of Caldwell’s fast-paced and aggressive system, she’s proving that she belongs in the national spotlight.
“I want to be an underdog,” Cooper said. “But I have more to prove. I can tell people underestimate me, but it’s up to me to go out there and prove myself. I’m not trying to make you happy, I want to make myself happy.”
While her mentality has quickly made Cooper one of the most respected players in Tennessee’s locker room, she’s also got the numbers to back it up. She averaged 16.6 points, 3.1 steals and 0.7 blocks a game last season — all of which led Tennessee.
“She has the ability to lead by example,” Caldwell said. “She’s in the gym on her own more than anyone else. I think she watches more film than anyone else, too. Those little championship tendencies matter, so hopefully it carries over to our freshmen and newcomers.”
Cooper’s versatility makes her a crucial part of Caldwell’s up-tempo system. Her ability to guard multiple positions gives Tennessee versatility on defense, while her confidence in attacking the rim provides balance on offense.
“One of my strengths is getting to the hoop,” Cooper said. “And my defensive side. It’s about being able to get the steal and initiate the transition offense.”
Tennessee’s transition offense looked as good as ever against Columbus State in an exhibition game on Oct. 29. Tennessee had 71 points off turnovers, winning 148-48. Cooper finished the game with 17 points, six assists and seven steals in just 22 minutes.
But even with those numbers, Cooper knows that the expectations around her are sky-high. After landing on the All-SEC Second Team last season, she was tabbed as All-SEC First Team by the coaches and All-SEC Second Team by the media this preseason.
“She can be one of the best players in college basketball,” Caldwell said. “She can be one of the top players in the sport right now. She just has to continue to be consistent, and I don’t say things I don’t mean, especially if they’re nice.”
That kind of trust from her head coach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Cooper says that Caldwell’s unwavering belief helps fuel her to take the next step.
“She told me that I have the potential to be one of the best players in the country, and that really stuck out to me,” Cooper said. “I can’t slack off, I’ve got to be getting better every year.”
Cooper welcomes these expectations, seeing them as motivation instead of pressure.
“Those expectations play in a lot,” Cooper said. “I know what they’re telling me I can be, but I have a higher ceiling and I’m going to shoot for the best. I look at it as something I wanted. After the journey I’ve been through, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
With Tennessee’s season opener approaching, Cooper isn’t running from the pressure. She’s using it to take the next step toward becoming one of the nation’s best players.
