Rumors

The BIG3, the highly anticipated 3-on-3 professional basketball league, announced today Latrell Sprewell, J.R. Rider, Earl Boykins, Brian Cook and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf as the latest signings to its Draft player pool. Sprewell, Rider, Boykins, Cook and Abdul-Rauf join Kenny Anderson, Smush Parker, Jamario Moon, Ruben Patterson, and Etan Thomas as the first players signed to the upcoming draft. The BIG3 will announce new signings each Monday leading up to the Draft. Last week, the BIG3 also announced the name of the second team: Trilogy. Co-captained by Kenyon Martin and Al Harrington, Trilogy joins the 3 Headed Monsters as the first BIG3 teams.

BIG3 | 3-on-3 Professional Basketball

Jorge Sierra: Former Laker Brian Cook signed with Chiba Jets of Japan last month, but his contract includes an NBA out.

Twitter

Former NBA forward Brian Cook signed a contract to play in Lebanon with Riyadi.

Sportando

Vincent Goodwill: The Pistons just waived Hasheem Thabeet, Brian Cook, Josh Bostic and Lorenzo Brown

Twitter

David Mayo: Pistons release four camp invitees, Hasheem Thabeet, Brian Cook, Josh Bostic, Lorenzo Brown. Bostic/Brown may be D-League assignees.

Twitter

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has signed Hasheem Thabeet, Brian Cook, Lorenzo Brown and Josh Bostic to their training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

NBA.com

It’s not the conventional route for a return, but when extreme family circumstances take a man away from the game for two full seasons, he’ll do whatever he can to find his way back to the hardwood. “My wife had cancer, so I’ve had to be at home a little bit the last couple of years,” said Cook, who is playing for the Detroit Pistons’ Summer League team. “I’m ready to get some competition back in me, so it’s been good for me to get out here and be with these younger guys, these hungry guys, because I’m hungry too. I’m trying to squeeze out a few more years.”

Basketball Insiders

That doesn’t mean he’s not trying, though. Using his connection with Stan Van Gundy, his former head coach with the Orlando Magic and now the head coach and president of basketball operations for Detroit, he got himself an invite to Summer League for a chance to prove himself. Van Gundy guaranteed him nothing in providing the opportunity, but Cook is hoping to make the most of it, if only to show his gratitude to Van Gundy. “He was one of the first guys I called in being a free agent because I’m very comfortable with his offense,” Cook said. “I look back at my career, and he’s one of the few coaches that really cared about me and held me accountable. When you’re young, you don’t realize that. I’ve been at home with my kids and my wife, and I’ve matured during that process. (Van Gundy) gave me a shot to come down here. I’m ready.”

Basketball Insiders

Steve Kyler: Talked with Brian Cook... has spent the last year or so being with his family as his wife battled cancer, she is now cancer free.

Twitter

Steve Kyler: Cook said when he decided he wanted to try and play again he called Stan Van Gundy - said Stan always showed he cared and that meant a lot.

Twitter

Steve Kyler: Cook said he hopes to get some camp invites but if that doesn't work out wants to get I to coaching. Feels like he can still a team.

Twitter

Shams Charania: Free agent Brian Cook, with Utah Jazz in October, has started gauging leaguewide interest, source tells RealGM. Cook is training in L.A.

Twitter

Utah Jazz: The Jazz has signed Jamaal Tinsley and waived Brian Cook, Justin Holiday, Lester Hudson, Scott Machado and Dominic McGuire.

Twitter

Jody Genessy: Former Laker Brian Cook after scoring 18 for Jazz: "I’m just trying to stay even-keeled right now and just show that I can still play at 32"

Twitter