July 16, 2012

BC Yambol Website

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Following a senior season in 2011-12 in which he posted career highs in five statistical categories, former St. Bonaventure men's basketball forward Da'Quan Cook has signed a professional contract with BC Yambol in Bulgaria's National Basketball League.

"I feel really good about the opportunity and situation," said Cook, who will leave for the southeastern European country on August 28. "I've been working hard every day following my collegiate experience because I know the level of play at the professional ranks will be much higher every game from what I've experienced before.

"I've been preparing myself every day both physically and mentally to not only just be a professional, but a great player at the next level."

Cook averaged 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 26.8 minutes per game last season as the Bonnies won their first Atlantic 10 Championship. The Elizabeth, N.J. native also recorded career highs in free-throw percentage (75.2) and field goals made (76) as he helped guide St. Bonaventure to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.

BC Yambol is one of eight teams which make up the NBL – Bulgaria's highest professional basketball league. The club was founded in 1944 and won the Bulgarian Championship in 2002. It is the last team to win the title other than PBC Lukoil Academic, which has claimed the championship 10 straight years.

Cook, who sat out the 2007-08 season, started 61 of his final 62 games, spanning his redshirt junior and redshirt senior seasons. He graduated in May with a degree in sociology.

Cook becomes the second member of Bona basketball's 2012 graduating class to sign a professional contract as Andrew Nicholson was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 19th pick in the NBA Draft in June.