Oakland senior Max Hooper played in semifinal two days after father's death
Oakland senior Max Hooper played with a heavy heart in the Horizon League semifinal on Monday. He took the court with his team two days after his father, Chip Hooper, lost his four-year battle to cancer.
Hooper wasn't out there alone, though. His teammates showed a great deal of support for him, writing "#PLAYFORCHIP" on their shoes.
The semifinal game came a week after Chip gave Max an incredible surprise. On Feb. 26, Chip attended Max's game against Detroit, which was also Senior Night. It was the first time he was able to watch his son play for Oakland since Max transferred from St. John's after the 2013-14 season.
"To see him come all the way from California here, just to see me?" Max told the Detroit Free Press recently. "Not that I needed any added motivation, but that definitely was."
Hooper didn't let his father down, either. He scored 12 points in the team's win, making four of his eight 3-point attempts. His father watched the game while strapped into a gurney.
Immediately following the win, Hooper went into the stands to give his dad a big hug as the two shared an incredible moment together.
Needless to say, Chip has been a huge motivator and inspiration for Max. While the senior guard admits he doesn't often need external motivation, his dad has played a big role in driving him to be better.
"My dad, the basketball journey has always been me and him, so he's always propelled me," Hooper said. "Not that I ever needed any added fuel for the fire, because I'm very intrinsically motivated. But how can that not drive you?"
Unfortunately, Oakland's season ended on Monday in the semifinal. The Golden Grizzlies lost to Wright State, 59-55. Hooper scored nine points making three of his five 3-point attempts. He averaged 10.5 points per game this season, making nearly 45 percent of his 3s.
