A man found dead in a park in the early hours of Saturday was named as Mickey Cooper. That last name should ring familiar as he was the brother of former L.A. Laker Michael Cooper.
Cooper confirmed to ABC7 that his brother Mickey Cooper was the victim of that shooting. The Medical Examiner’s office confirmed 64-year-old Mickey Cooper died in a park.
“The shooting was reported around 4 a.m. Saturday at Washington Park. Pasadena police say officers responded to the park, in the 700 block of East Washington Boulevard, when the department’s ShotSpotter system detected gunfire in the area,” said ABC7. “When officers got to the park they found a man who was unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Michael Cooper was a member of the world-champion Lakers during the 1980s’ Showtime era. He is now a basketball analyst for KABC-TV Channel 7.
The 67-year-old was born in Los Angeles and graduated from Pasadena High School before playing in college at Pasadena Community College and the University of New Mexico.
The former third-round pick in 1978 played for the franchise until 1990, winning five NBA titles and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987.
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Aside from broadcasting duties, Cooper is currently the head boys’ varsity basketball coach at Culver City High School.
