Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information about Michael Cooper:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Michael Jerome Cooper
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born April 15, 1956
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 170 lbs (77 kg)
  • Wingspan: Approximately 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m)
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly disclosed
  • Number: Wore jersey number 21
  • Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
  • High School: Pasadena High School (Pasadena, California)
  • College:
    • Pasadena City College (1974–1976)
    • University of New Mexico (1976–1978)
  • NBA Draft: 1978, Round 3, Pick 60 by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1978–1990)
  • Championship Rings: 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
  • Kids: Michael Cooper has children, though specific details about them are not widely publicized.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not publicly available.

Michael Cooper’s player archetype was that of an elite defensive wing: a long, smart, low-maintenance perimeter piece who could hound top scorers, cover multiple positions, and still fit cleanly into a star-driven offense. Defensively, he was a true stopper and backcourt disruptor, trusted with the toughest assignments and recognized league-wide by winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, while offensively he filled a complementary role as a slasher, transition finisher, cutter, and spot-up threat rather than a primary creator. At 6-foot-5 and 170 pounds, Cooper paired wiry length with quickness and timing, and his play style was built on relentless ball pressure, anticipation, opportunistic scoring, and the kind of selfless two-way impact that made him an ideal glue guy on the Showtime Lakers. (Basketball Reference)

Fun Facts

  • Michael Cooper is best known for his defensive prowess as a member of the Lakers’ “Showtime” era.
  • A versatile defender, he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and earned eight NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
  • After retiring, Cooper had a successful coaching career, including leading the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championships.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Michael Cooper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft …
Los Angeles Lakers — Michael Cooper in Defense of the Purple and Gold
NBA.com — Los Angeles Lakers | Season Capsule
Los Angeles Lakers — Dr. Jerry Buss – The Oral History of the Greatest Owner in Sports