What does it take for a player to be a Hall of Famer? Exceptional on-court skills, accolades, and championships? Well, it turns out it takes a lot more than that. Listen out Michael Cooper, who had to witness a significant amount of time to get an entry into the most decorated category of basketball players.

Michael Cooper, on Byron Scott’s Fast Break, was asked what it feels like to be given the highest honor of the field, which, according to show host Byron Scott, should have been done 15-20 years back. However, Cooper did not seem to have much of a complaint with the time period it took for him to have a nod of approval for the Hall of Fame induction.

He mentioned the understanding he developed over time that HOF induction is not just about what you do on the court, but also what you do off the court. “The things you do on the court definitely help. But it’s your body of work off the court—what you do in the community… And that’s the one thing I’m proud about,” Cooper said.

He further elaborated on his reason, stating how he worked for the community back in his hometown, Pasadena. So even though Cooper is being inducted as a player, for him it’s about everything that he’s done so far. This includes coaching, having AAU basketball clinics, and the work done for the community.

The 5x NBA champ time and again hosts Michael Cooper Youth Basketball Clinic Pasadena. The intent is to further the skills of aspiring and budding basketball talent in his hometown. As far as his coaching career is concerned, it has been almost 3 decades since he first started off as the assistant coach for the LA Lakers. He gained significant success in the field.

Not only did he lead the WNBA’s LA Sparks to 2 championship wins (2001, 2002), but he also helmed the victory of Albuquerque Thunderbirds against Fort Worth Flyers in the 2006 NBA D-League (now G-League). Now, these are his contributions beyond his role as a player. As a former NBA star who only played in the league for the Lakers, not only did he win 5 championships alongside the likes of Magic Johnson but also made a significant contribution of his own.

Do not form an impression solely based on his career stat-line of 8.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Alongside the 1987 DPOY honor, he has also secured an All-Defensive (First and Second) team selection 8 times through his career. This made him the only non-HOF to hold the record, but that changes now with his induction on October 13.

Young Michael Cooper bested the adversity

At age three, Michael Cooper incurred a severe knee injury that left him needing 100 stitches. While most toddlers were running around and playing, Cooper was bound to a knee brace for the next eight years.

“I couldn’t run, jump or ride skateboards. I couldn’t do things other kids could do,” Coop once told The LA Times. The fact that doctors said back then he might never walk again would’ve been quite scary for his age. But he was in no mood to let that knee brace define his future.

Instead, he pushed through, found his peace in basketball—a sport that would become his lifeline. Years of dedication, countless hours of rehab, and a relentless drive paid off. Not only did Cooper manage to break free from his knee brace, he got drafted by the Lakers in the 1978 draft. Clearly, it has been a long journey to the Hall of Fame for Michael Cooper.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.