Tennessee Lady Vols guard Talaysia Cooper continues to make her mark in the SEC. The redshirt sophomore earned a spot on both the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Defensive Team, cementing her reputation as one of the top two-way players in the conference.
From scoring bursts to defensive dominance, Cooper has been a vital force for Tennessee this season. She leads the team in multiple statistical categories and proves why she belongs among the league’s best.
Why Talaysia Cooper Deserved All-SEC Honors
Talatsia Cooper played a pivotal role for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, appearing in all 29 games while averaging 16.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Offensively, she led the Lady Vols in scoring, finishing 11th in the SEC in points per game on 44.6% shooting from the field. This culminated in her earning prestigious postseason honors.
Talaysia Cooper has been named to the All-SEC second team and All-Defensive team, the league announced today. Well-deserved honor for a player who went from sitting out last season to a breakout star for Tennessee this season
— Cora Hall (@corahalll) March 4, 2025
Her ability to take over games was on full display, notching 11 games with 20 or more points, including a season-high 33-point explosion against Liberty. She carried that momentum into SEC play, dropping 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and six steals in Tennessee’s win over Missouri.
But it wasn’t just her scoring that made an impact. Her defensive tenacity also set her apart.
Cooper tied for the SEC lead with three steals per game while also contributing 0.7 blocks per contest. Her defensive instincts and relentless energy made her a nightmare for opposing guards, as she routinely disrupted passing lanes and forced turnovers.
She was the only Lady Vols player to earn SEC honors this season and also landed on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List.
Cooper’s path to SEC stardom wasn’t immediate. After beginning her career at South Carolina, she transferred to Tennessee but was forced to sit out a season due to portal entry rules. However, the wait proved worth it—her first full season with the Lady Vols showed why she was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and a McDonald’s All-American.
Now, she’s a key piece in Tennessee’s postseason aspirations.
The No. 9 seed Lady Vols enter the SEC Tournament with a tough road ahead. Their journey starts Wednesday against 16-seed Texas A&M. If they advance, they’ll face Vanderbilt (8-seed) on Thursday, with a potential showdown against top-seeded South Carolina on Friday.
NEWS FROM KNOXVILLE: First-Round WNBA Pick Rickea Jackson Explains The Kim Caldwell Effect
Cooper’s two-way brilliance will be crucial if Tennessee hopes to make a deep tournament run. With her ability to score at will and lock down opponents on defense, she’s set to be one of the most impactful players to watch in March.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
