LARAMIE – Sundance Wicks' cellphone was buzzing throughout the spring as the newly minted Wyoming head coach frantically put the roster puzzle back together.
 
When a familiar Florida number appeared one afternoon, Wicks politely excused himself from a conversation and said: "I've got to take this. It's an in or out call."
 
Nigle Cook was on the other line with some good news. The talented 6-foot-6 guard from DeLand, Fla., had decided to remain in with UW and play for Wicks following Jeff Linder's departure to be an assistant at Texas Tech.
 
"I like that he stuck with the growing pains of this process, which is commendable and rare in this day," Wicks said. "When things got hard, he didn't just jump and run away. He doubled down on who he was.
 
"I told him, look, it's a clean slate for me. You're going to come in here and get a chance. Show it. He has shown it every single day he has done the work."
 
Cook redshirted during his true freshman season last year. Coming out of DME Academy, one of the top prep programs in the nation, he had an enticing offer from Villanova.
 
But other than getting used to the biting wind during his first winter at 7,220 feet, Cook felt comfortable with his decision to develop with the Cowboys.
 
"It just felt like home being out here at Wyoming," Cook said. "When I came on the visit everybody showed a lot of love and a lot of hospitality. They were also realistic with me and read me some goals they wanted me to achieve here. My family loved it out here and it just felt like home."
 
Cook has the offensive skills to have a significant impact on the 2024-25 Cowboys, but Wicks has been pushing him to improve his defense.
 
UW's first official practice was Wednesday night, which means it's time for players to earn the trust of the coaching staff on both ends of the floor in order to be part of the rotation.
 
"He's a factory worker. He's such a solid kid, comes in every day and punches the clock, does his work, gets in, gets out," Wicks said. "He can shoot the crap out of the basketball, as good a shooter as I've ever been around. The continued growth and development for him is to make sure he can defend.
 
"He has all the ability. He's one of our strongest guys per pound, he's one of our best shooters, one of the most athletic guys with over a 40-inch vertical like Drake Jeffries. Now he's got to put all that together and use that."
 
Cook played in one game last season before the decision was made to utilize his redshirt. He knocked down a 3-pointer, grabbed two rebounds and finished with six points in 14 minutes against Northern New Mexico.
 
Still one of the youngest players on the roster, Cook is also one of only three returning scholarship players who knows what it's like to wear the brown and gold.
 
"I've gotten a lot better. I've improved my game and my physicality," Cook said. "Our system hasn't changed that much so I can help the other guys that are new. I also know where I'm at as a freshman, so I don't overstep anybody."
 
One of the key factors in Cook's decision to stay with the Cowboys following the coaching change was Wicks' ability to connect with him.
 
"Coach Sundance's energy, it's hard to express what it's like. But the way that he felt about me and the way he talked to my family, constantly calling us, made me feel like he was a really good coach," Cook said. "The feedback I heard about him was he was a really good guy, and he was going to push me to be the best that I can be.
 
"That means a lot. He has paid attention to my game and breaks down a lot of my game to help me be the best I can be and to help me reach my end goal."
 
The ongoing development of Cook will be a key storyline this season. Wicks wants him to harness his immense physical gifts by committing to being a relentless all-around player.
 
"If the light turns on for that kid on a consistent basis competing his butt off every day, he could be a special Cowboy."
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
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