Tyrek Coger Remembered In Special Way at Maui Invitational

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Tyrek Coger, an Oklahoma State basketball player who tragically passed away this fall, is remembered by many at the Maui Invitational this weekend. Coger had strong connections to three teams in the tournament: growing up in North Carolina, having a best friend who plays for UConn, and of course playing for Oklahoma State.

Tyrek grew up in Raleigh, NC and played basketball at Eastern Florida State College then Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC before transferring to Oklahoma State in his junior year.

Coger was a late signing, originally planning on attending Ole Miss before being declined by SEC rules and allowing OSU to recruit the 6’8″ junior. Coger was close with UConn guard Rodney Purvis and the two grew up as close as brothers in Raleigh. Purvis has chosen to change his number this year in honor of Coger.

Here at the Maui Invitational there is one very unique fan remembering Coger in a special way. Steve Cooper, a North Carolina native and UNC fan, has attended the tournament several times and has a unique hobby as well.

Steve has become well known for his philanthropy work heading up Coast 2 Coast Dribble. Steve has run marathons for years and last week completed a journey across the entire United States while dribbling a basketball the whole time.

Upon hearing of Coger’s passing, Steve dedicated the remainder of his run to Tyrek and is attending the Maui invitational wearing orange and white shirts to remember Tyrek instead of his traditional Tar Heel blue.

Steve participated in the Maui Invitational 5k run while wearing his Tyrek shirt and dribbling a basketball. It is great to see a player, even so briefly associated as a Cowboy, memorialized so well by three teams at the tournament. For more info on Steve’s philanthropy, checkout 7773foundation.org and keep an eye out for the white and orange Tyrek shirts at the game.