Inola teen sinks 30 straight shots to win national title

A Green Country teen just made basketball history.

Cooper Thompson of Inola is the 2025 Elks National Hoop Shoot champion for the 12- to 13-year-old boys division after delivering a perfect performance at the national finals in Chicago.

A flawless performance on a national stage

On Saturday, April 26, Cooper stepped up to the free-throw line at Wintrust Arena with 71 of the country’s best young shooters competing around him. He went a perfect 25 for 25 during regulation rounds—then drilled another 5 for 5 in a tiebreaker shoot-off to seal the victory.

In total, he sank 30 consecutive shots without a miss.

That performance made him not only a division champion but also the overall top shooter in the entire 2025 Elks Hoop Shoot national tournament.

From Inola to the Hall of Fame

Cooper’s reward? A permanent spot in basketball history. His name will now be displayed in the Elks Hoop Shoot exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He also becomes the 10th Oklahoman to win a national title in the competition’s 50-plus year history.

A family legacy of champions

Cooper is now the second Hoop Shoot national champion in his family. His older brother, Caden Thompson, won the same age group title back in 2020. Together, they are the only sibling duo from Oklahoma to earn that distinction.

Oklahoma’s proud tradition continues

Cooper joins a prestigious list of Oklahoma champions dating back to 1976. Most recently, Ayden Birch of Midwest City won in 2024. The Hoop Shoot has long served as a proving ground for youth athletes across the country, and Oklahoma continues to make its mark.

Community support and celebration

The local celebration was immediate. Inola Athletics shared the news on Facebook with a message of pride:

About the Elks Hoop Shoot

The Elks Hoop Shoot is a nationwide free-throw contest that draws more than 1 million youth participants each year. It culminates in a national championship with six age divisions. This year’s finals included a Cubs game, trading cards, and moments of sportsmanship that defined the weekend.

For full results or to learn more about the program, visit elks.org/hoopshoot.