Ex-WSU player now an Alien

Cooper Land will play pro basketball and coach youth in Norway.

Shortly after his Wright State career ended in March, Cooper Land visited an older brother who plays professional basketball in Denmark.

While there, Land’s new basketball agent set up workouts with several overseas teams. He liked the people around the Asker Aliens in Asker, Norway, and the mascot stuck out in his mind.

“It’s like a floating head, with flames for hair,” he said. “It’s pretty elementary.”

A 6-foot-8 forward, Land signed with the Asker team last week and will leave later this month to become the third player from the 2010-11 Raiders to continue his career overseas. Guards Vaughn Duggins (Germany) and N’Gai Evans (Macedonia) will also be first-time professionals next season.

Land averaged 8.9 points and 3.0 rebounds last season while becoming one of the Raiders’ top 3-point threats, making 41.1 percent from long range. Asker finished 18-3 last season and lost in the semifinals of the postseason tournament in Norway’s top league.

Land said he will also coach two teams in the Aliens’ youth system, which could help with his later career goal of becoming a coach. For now, he’d like to keep playing.

“I’m trying to put off growing up and getting into the real world for as long as I can,” said Land, a native of Highland Village, Texas. “I hope to keep moving up, getting into better leagues, so I can keep playing.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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