Blazers Video Analyst, Player Development Coach Zach Cooper Dies Suddenly at 32

Photo by: Craig Mitchelldyer/AP Photo

Portland Trail Blazers video analyst and player development coach Zach Cooper died unexpectedly on Thursday, according to the Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jason Quick.

A video assistant on the Portland Trail Blazers, Zach Cooper, has died unexpectedly. Quotes from Portland President Neil Olshey and head coach Terry Stotts. pic.twitter.com/GJD6Y3mxie

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2020

The cause of death is currently unknown.

Zach Cooper was 32 and in his first season with Blazers. Passed away on Thursday in Portland. Was a fixture on the court before games working out players. Just terrible news. https://t.co/AJXwlLcjgO

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) April 13, 2020

As Quick’s tweet mentions, Cooper was in his first year with Portland. He joined the Blazers in September 2019 after spending a year with the WNBA’s Atlanta Fever.

Before his time with the Fever, Cooper spent time at the collegiate level as a video coordinator at Houston (2014-17) and Tulsa (2017-18).

I never got to know Zach Cooper, but I did know he worked hard and was very much a part of the fabric that makes the Blazers’ family. Here he is working out players before a Feb. 25 game. He is in white shirt and black shorts. pic.twitter.com/E8gFeUqcpn

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) April 13, 2020

Blazers beat reporter Casey Holdahl also chimed in on the loss of Cooper.