Editor’s note: The Chronicle is reviewing the season of each player after the Warriors’ second straight championship run.

During the immediate afterglow of the Warriors’ championship-clinching Game 4 win over the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, Quinn Cook was overcome with emotion. Photos surfaced of Cook, sobbing in the visitors’ locker room at Quicken Loans Arena, as Andre Iguodala consoled him.

Anyone acquainted with Cook’s story understood why he was moved to tears. After nearly three years on professional basketball’s fringes, he had finally gotten an extended opportunity with Golden State. Now, after excelling in Stephen Curry’s absence, Cook is under contract through next season.

Along the way, he silenced his doubters and proved that he belongs in the NBA. This is an elite shooter capable of orchestrating an offense, finding the open teammate and defending his position.

In 33 regular-season games with the Warriors, Cook shot 48.4 percent from the field, 44.2 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the foul line. Though his playing time dipped in the playoffs, he showed that he wasn’t afraid of the moment, scoring double-digit points in four games.

It was quite the breakthrough for someone who had a tough time finding professional stability after he went undrafted out of Duke in 2015.

In less than three years, Cook was waived four times and signed three 10-day contracts. Stints in 2016-17 with New Orleans and Dallas lasted a combined 14 games. Four days before signing a two-way contract with Golden State in mid-October, Cook was one of Atlanta’s final preseason cuts.

It all made him understand the value of maximizing his opportunities. A couple of turnovers or clanked jumpers, and he would be out of work.

In 29 games with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, Cook averaged a team-high 25.3 points on 52.4 percent shooting from the field, 43.7 percent from three-point range and 95 percent from the foul line to become the first player in the 17-year history of the G League (formerly the Development League) to join the 50-40-90 club.

With Curry sidelined for 16 of the final 17 regular-season games with various injuries, Cook thrived as Golden State’s fill-in starter. His averages in a 14-game span — 17.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds — were enough for the Warriors to convert his two-way deal into a standard NBA contract on April 10. To free up a postseason roster spot for Cook, Golden State waived Omri Casspi.

After the Warriors swept Cleveland in the NBA Finals, Steve Kerr found Cook on the court and said, "You’ve earned your spot in the NBA. I’m so excited to coach you again next year."

More Information Quinn Cook Age: 25 Position: Point guard Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 179 pounds Hometown: Washington, D.C. College: Duke Years pro: 2 2017-18 averages: 9.5 points, 2.7 assists, 22.4 minutes per game Contract status: Entering second year of two-year, $1,559,783 contract

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Offseason outlook: For the first time in his professional career, Cook enters the summer knowing who he’ll play for next season. He will join Shaun Livingston as one of Curry’s primary backups.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron