Nine year- old Cooper Slott is headed to Dallas this weekend for a big competition, The Elks Texas State Hoop Shoot. All he has to do to win, is hit the most free throws out of 25. But this kid is not only really good at basketball, he has a really good heart. He's decided to use his success to help others by taking donations and pledges for every shot he makes this weekend.
Shot for shot Cooper Slot is one of the best nine-year-old basketball players in the state. He's been playing since he was only five.
"I just like it because I can play with my friends and when I have time, I just like to go outside and shoot," said Slot.
That practice has paid off, because this weekend he gets to prove how good he is when he competes in the Elks Texas State Hoop Shoot competition in Dallas. Cooper's father, Ryan Slott, tells 12News what it took to get there.
"At the local division, he shot 18 out of 25. At the district level he ended up making 21 out of 25 shots, which one by one shot," said Mr. Slott.
But this time this little dribbler is not one who is just out to win.
He tells 12News, "I'm donating money to kids that have disabilities."
Between the pledges and his shots Cooper hopes that the competition will bring him nothing but a net full of money for A.S.K. A.S.K. stands for Adaptive Sports for Kids, a non-profit which provides year round sporting opportunities for children and young adults with physical and/or mental disabilities.
Scott Ferguson is the founder. He is touched by Cooper's gesture.
"First of all, to even have a nine year old young man say that he wants to shoot for donations to help raise money and support handicapped kids, blows me away. That is one of the most amazing things I have seen in years," said Ferguson.
Cooper says, "I think it's gonna help kids have fun and do things they never really get to do."
So when the buzzer sounds In the competition Cooper Hopes to not only win, but to pass along the cash to A.S.K. This is not just a one time thing. Cooper says his parents have taught him to pay it forward every day giving him this advice,"Have a good day and help somebody."
So far Cooper has raised more than $1,500 in donations and has another 40 to 60 pledges for 50 cents a shot or a $1 a shot. Those are just 10 or 20 dollar donations.
He's already a winner, but if Cooper wins the state tournament he will move on to a multi- state regional tournament. If you would like to help Cooper in his endeavor, contact his father Ryan at slotts@msn.com or 409-729-2404.
