I would like to complement Coach Cook and his programs, Illinois Team USA. The program is one of the best around if you are willing to listen and work hard. Two of my daughters played for Coach Cook, one has played four years in an NAIA Division I basketball on a scholarship. The other is currently playing for Team USA, and she's a junior in high school who has colleges watching her play.  But of course it's more than that. You build skills, leadership abilities, confidence, and develop friendships that make you feel like family. To me it is one of the best programs around and I recommend it everyone who wants to improve to play college level basketball.  

Sincerely,

Nancy Heine

The Illinois Team USA Basketball program has made a tremendous impact on our daughter, Lexi, both as an athlete and as an individual. She has grown to know what true "team play" is all about while also learning critical individual skills that positioned her to be a starting point guard, as a freshman, at the Varsity level of Class 4A IHSA Girls Basketball. In addition, the experience and exposure she has gained from the competitive AAU tournament schedule that Illinois Team USA selects to participate in has been invaluable. The program is guided by very strong and experienced leadership at the top with Jim Cook. There are very few, if any, programs that have the collegiate level coaching experience Coach Cook provides. There is no doubt this is one of the elite AAU basketball programs in the Midwest, committed to seeing their athletes perform at their highest potential. - Marsha Baltes

Team USA was a very positive experience for our daughter.  Not only in terms of skill development and great exposure within a competitive environment, but just as importantly, for the confidence-building on and off the court.  The coaches took the time to work with individuals and yet united them so successfully into a unified team in such a short period of time.  There was a genuine interest taken in the enrichment of each girl.   A wealth of knowledge for the game is what coach Cook and coach Smith bring to these club teams...individual skill builders and a "team mentality" that the student athletes will radiate to ANY team.  We know that our daughter has grown not only as a competent basketball player but also as a poised yet determined athlete under the careful guidance of Coach Smith and Coach Cook.  - Charles Tuskan

“Playing basketball for Team USA has been a great learning experience.  It has taught me much more than basketball.  I have learned the importance of having a good work ethic, being respectful of others, as well as having good discipline.  I have even more drive and desire to reach my potential not only in basketball but in life.  I can not thank Team USA enough.” Alexa Tovella - 17U Girls Team 2008

“Illinois Team USA is such a amazing academy because it is around a good environment.  There are coaches that will spend extra time to help you reach your best potential. I have learned much about basketball from all the coaches, and have increased my basketball IQ. Working hard and pushing yourself so you can be the best you can be at basketball. I have made many friends from my team and other teams from out of town. I have learned to handle the ball, shoot correctly, be a defensive threat, leadership, and talking on and off the court while seeing the entire court.” -Chrissy Heine 2008

“Playing on Team USA has taught me many different things about basketball. I would not be half of the player I am today if I was not playing for Coach Cook. He has taught me numerous things about all aspects of my game. Along with the improvement of my game, I have also improved as a person. The girls that I play with have taught me how to be a better friend and a better person. They are truly my family. For these reasons, Team USA has been one of the best things that has happened to me in my life so far.” Hailey Cnota - 16U Girls Team 2008

“Each coach that I was placed with while playing for Team USA has helped my individual game as well as my team game.  However, more importantly, they have helped me grow as a person off the court.  My coaches, Coach Smith and Coach Cook, spent time with me, giving me the guidance that I needed to excel in the game by building on my strong game points as well as exploiting my weaknesses and assigning drills in order to improve on them.  While with USA, I have learned such a great work ethic along with my teammates and coaches, whom I enjoyed working with!  Also, while being taught in the game, I had an incredible amount of fun!  Thanks for the opportunity!” Jackie Tuskan - 17 U Girls Team 2008