Cook Reached Scoring Milestone

"Thazina Cook reached the milestone of 1,000 career points during Iona's 79-62 victory over Manhattan on Jan. 5 in Riverdale, N.Y. Cook, a 5-foot-9 senior guard from Newark, N.J., becomes the 19th player in program history to reach the 1,000 point mark.

This feat marks the latest of many achievements in Cook's decorated career in Maroon & Gold. Cook's exceptional talent, leadership, and versatility make the two-year captain a tremendously valuable player for the Gaels.

'I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to coach Thazina these last 3-plus years,' head coach Anthony Bozzella said. 'She has been so easy to coach because of her willingness to learn and her unbelievable work ethic and desire to succeed. Her work ethic is unsurpassed by any player I have ever coached. She is also a tremendous leader and competitor.'

Cook has distinguished herself as one of the top players in the MAAC, earning a place on the 2008-2009 All-MAAC First Team and the 2009-2010 Preseason All-MAAC First Team.
In addition to her prolific scoring, Cook has compiled 527 rebounds, 77 assists, and 156 steals in her career.

Since entering Iona as a talented rookie out of Bloomfield Tech three years ago, Cook has developed into one of the premier players in the MAAC. As a freshman in 2006-07, Cook made an immediate impact, playing in 33 games as the lone freshman on a team that advanced to the WNIT for the first time in school history.

Cook had a breakout year as a sophomore, when she averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in her first year as a starter. She helped the Gaels reach the WNIT for the second year in a row.

As a junior, Cook elevated her game to new heights. She led the Gaels in scoring (14.8 points per game) and rebounding (6.7 rebounds per game). Indicative of her defensive prowess, Cook ranked fourth in the MAAC with 2.2 steals per game. Cook recorded eight double-doubles on the season. Cook earned All-MAAC first team honors and won Iona's Most Valuable Player award at the team's year-end banquet in April 2009.

Cook's senior campaign is off to a stellar start, as she is averaging 14.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. With several games still to be played, Cook now looks to put the finishing touches on her outstanding career.

'There is NO doubt in my mind she will go down as one of the greatest players to wear an Iona women's basketball uniform,' Bozzella said." -Michael Sacks