Two years ago, as a sophomore on the Cooper boys’ varsity basketball team, Jalen Cherry barely got off the bench. Two seasons later, coach Bryan Conover can barely afford to take him off the floor because he’s become such a valuable player for the Cougars, who are in prime position to once again make the Class 5A state playoffs.

As a sophomore, Cherry mostly watched and learned, all while figuring out what it took to play at the varsity level.

“If you had told me when Jalen was in the 8th and 9th grade that he would become this good, I don’t know if I would have believed it,” Conover said. “He never really had much interest in playing defense, but he’s tolerated it and become a much better defender this year. He’d tell you that himself. That was the No. 1 reason he didn’t play very much as a sophomore. He’s always been very skilled offensively.

“But you have to want to play defense, and he’s finally figured out that you have to play hard on both ends of the floor,” the head coach said. “His defense and rebounding have come a long way, and he’s really helped us on the defensive end of the floor. He’s evolved into an all-around player, not just a shooter.”

For Cherry, the progression from bench-warmer to all-district performer was knowing that he needed to sit and watch.

“The process is all about patience,” said the senior, who is averaging better than 15 points and seven rebounds per game for the Cougars, who are 18-10 overall and 5-3 in District 4-5A going into the final two games of the regular season. “As a sophomore I really watched the guys in front of me and realized what it took to play varsity basketball. I watched a lot on the defensive end: rotations, body positioning, how to play on that end of the floor. Watching those guys and sitting for most of that year helped me become the player I’ve become.”

Cooper won the District 4-5A championship last year behind district MVP and four-year starter Noah Garcia and first team all-district and all-Big Country performer CJ Jemison. With those two gone, Cherry had to take up not only some scoring load but fill a leadership void.

“My expectation coming into the season was to step in and lead our team back to the playoffs and win another district title,” said Cherry, who has garnered collegiate interest from several NCAA Division III programs across the state. “This year’s starting five all have roles in leading this team. The bond we have on this team is special, and that’s what’s pushing us to win. That bond exists as much off the court as it does on the court, and that’s been a big boost for our team.”

Cherry is a legacy player at Cooper, joining his father, Michael, and uncle, Chris, as athletes who have worn the red and blue. Jalen went to Jackson Elementary School (now Alcorta Elementary) and Madison Middle School, always wanting to follow in the footsteps of his father and his uncle. As he puts it, he feels a “sense of responsibility to carry on the legacy of the Cherry name at Cooper and be part of that history.”