Trailblazer Michael Cooper commits to play for Wagner College

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Men's Basketball sophomore and 2025 NJCAA Division I All-Region 24 honoree Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) announced his commitment to play next season at NCAA Division I Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. Friday afternoon.

"I chose Wagner because the coaches expressed a need for me, not just a want, which fits perfectly into what I'm looking for next year," Cooper said. "To go in and build with the program and just win. The coach also relates to me and how I felt that I've been overlooked and underrated throughout most of my career and that's put a chip on my shoulder. Those are the types of players he loves and looks for. He wants to just bring the best out of me and help me embrace my potential."

Cooper joined the Trailblazers this past season after playing his freshman season at North Platte Community College in Nebraska.

Cooper averaged 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this past season for the Trailblazers.

Cooper scored in double figures 20 times this past season at VU, while recording a team-high five double-doubles.

Cooper's best stretch of games with the Trailblazers came when he scored in double figures over six straight games, including recording three double doubles in those games, including scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Wabash Valley College.

Cooper closed out his Trailblazer career by scoring 14 points in the first round of the 2025 NJCAA Division I National tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. and followed that with 11 points against Indian Hills Community College to send the Blazers to the National Quarterfinals.

Cooper helped Vincennes to a 28-5 record this past season, including a perfect 16-0 regular season record in Region 24 play and securing VU's 12th National tournament appearance in the last 13 seasons.

"My favorite part from this past season was beating Kaskaskia at home to go undefeated 16-0 in the Region," Cooper added. "Also making the All-Region team with Bryan and Lebron was pretty special."

Cooper will be joining a Wagner College program coming off of a 14-16 season, including a 6-10 record in Northeast Conference (NEC) play.

Cooper is the second Trailblazer to announce their plans for the upcoming season as Cooper will be joining VU teammate Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) who also announced his commitment to Wagner College last week.

"I think I'm better prepared to make this jump from Vincennes because the coaching is at that level, if not higher," Cooper said. "And the training regimen is at that level if not higher. The level of coaching and the way that we are expected to get our homework done on time and held accountable really helped me to maintain my good grades and finish at the top of my class."

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Michael Cooper on his commitment to continuing his education at Wagner College and wishes him good luck as he continues his basketball career next season.