Valley Vista’s Mikela Cooper Invited to Tryout for Greek National Team

Valley Vista High School alumna Mikela Cooper has been invited to attend tryouts for the Greek U18 National Basketball Team, beginning on July 4. Cooper graduated from Valley Vista High School last month, and played varsity for the school’s five-time state championship girls basketball team for the last four years. 

“Playing for the Greek National Team has been a childhood dream,” said Cooper. “I always wanted to represent Greece on a national level… I’m extremely honored and grateful to be considered and given an opportunity to try out for the U18 National Team.” 

 ooper has strong roots in Greece, and her family actually lived in Chalkida, Greece for a brief time to assist her grandfather who was experiencing health issues. While there, she played club basketball and met some coaches from the Greek Basketball Federation. Since returning to the U.S. in 2018, Mikela has kept in touch with them and they have provided her continued feedback and guidance on her development as a basketball player.   

Cooper played power forward and shooting guard for Valley Vista High School, which was recently named the 2022 Arizona Republic Girls Team of the Year. In 21-22 she was selected for the 6A All Conference 1st Team. In her senior year, she averaged 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. In December 2021 Cooper committed to play women’s basketball at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts.