Norris Cole, PG

Much like James Brown in the music industry, nobody is a harder worker on the basketball court than Norris Cole. While Shelvin Back and his Butler University teammates garnered most of the media attention out of the Horizon League, Cole emerged as the elite guard in that mid-major league, as any of the opposing coaches will tell you that no one they faced had the ability to take over a game like the junior combo guard.

Long after practices have concluded, it was commonplace to see Cole "burning the midnight oil" in the gym taking thousands upon thousands of jump shots, as that work ethic helped him to make a quantum leap on the basketball court from the time he enrolled at CSU four years ago. His wide array of skills fit the Gary Waters system perfectly, but more importantly, his will to win is an example for his teammates to follow.

A wing player during his early career, Cole converted to a point guard as a junior and quickly developed into a skilled floor general. With two years at that position under his belt, his assist average continued to rise this season, as he was more than willing to distribute the ball to many of the Vikings' offensive threats.

His cousin, Trent Cole, is an All-Pro defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Norris seems to play with that same relentless style, especially when it comes to driving to the basket, scoring at such a pace in 2010-11, that he went on to rank tenth in the nation in scoring (21.7 ppg). He has this uncanny ability to draw contact with his inside game, getting to the charity stripe regularly as a junior, where he connected on 85.3% of his attempts.

Most players with that scoring acumen are considered gunslingers, being very creative with their own shot, while failing to create for others. That was not the case with Cole, as his average of 5.3 assists per game ranked 36th nationally last year. Displaying an all-around game, he also had success on the defensive end, where his 80 steals ranked 23rd in the NCAA Division I ranks in 2010-11.

Like his cousin with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cole was known more for his football skills while attending Dunbar High School, where he was a two-time all-league quarterback, as he completed 148-of-267 passes for 2,267 yards and 19 touchdowns with five 300-yard games as a senior to earn a spot on the 2006 Elite Quarterbacks To Watch list. An all-around athlete, he also lettered once in both baseball and track, finishing second in the district in the long jump (21'9").

Cole was just a special mention all-state selection by the Associated Press as a senior for the Dunbar High basketball team. He paced the squad in scoring (15.5 ppg) as a senior, averaging 4.3 assists and 2.8 steals a game while shooting .490 from the field (164-335), .308 from three-point (20-65) and .775 from the line (86-111), helping Dunbar to a 24-4 record and its second straight state title while starting at point guard.

With Cole serving as the team's ball facilitator during his final two seasons, his Dunbar team went 50-6 during that span. He was rated as the fifth best point guard and 22nd best player in the state by PrepSpotlight.com. HoopScoop tabbed him as the 18th-best player in the state.

Cole appeared in 34 games for Cleveland State during his 2007-08 freshman campaign, as the reserve forward averaged 4.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. He became more involved in the offensive attack as a sophomore, improving his averages to 13.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, making 45.3% of his field goals through 37 contests.

Cole spent the summer prior to his junior year learning how to handle point guard duties while attending the Deron Williams Skills Academy in Chicago, an elite camp open to only the top ten point guards in college. That tutoring saw him go on to earn All-Horizon League first-team honors in 2009-10.

That season, he made 185-of-428 field goals (43.2%) while averaging 16.3 points per game. His 81 steals ranked sixth on the school season-record list, as he also chipped in with 146 assists, tied for ninth on the Vikings' annual record chart. He pulled down 91 rebounds and shot 79.9% from the charity stripe.

Much like Rip Van Winkle, the basketball world finally "woke up" to Cole's awesome skills set during his senior campaign. The All-American third-team pick became the first player in league history to be named Horizon League Player of the Year and Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. He led the league in scoring (21.7ppg), steals (2.2) and free throw percentage (.853).

Cole also ranked second in assists (5.4), third in minutes played (35.7), fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93) and defensive rebounds (5.2) and eighth in rebounds. He set the CSU season-records for points (780), free throws made (227) and free throws attempted (266), scoring 20 points or more 20 times.

Positives: Hard worker and very coachable … Still has as few rough edges to work on as a point guard, but his rapid development makes him a better option at the one-spot than utilizing his array of moves at shooting guard, where he does not have the length and bulk to match up defensively vs. the bigger wings … Has developed a very good feel for the court and even though it appears that he puts the offense on his back as a scorer, he's made very good strides in ball handling and passing (337 of his 455 assists came during the last two years) … Demonstrates a good handle and crisp passes in the half court game and is very effective at finding better scoring options on the pick-&-roll … Plays with his head up and on a swivel, scanning the court, looking to feed a teammate before taking chances with the ball himself … Despite his lack of bulk, he's a "tough cookie" vs. pressure defense, kicking the ball out quickly vs. double teams … Still takes lots of shots from the perimeter that he shouldn't, but has the range to connect from three-point territory (ninth in school annals with 139 treys) … Lacks explosive court speed, but has a nice array of moves and a quick first step to get to the basket when challenged by bigger wings … Has shown good balance and elevation getting off his jumper and has very good stop-&-go skills to pull up and get his shot off when the defenses sag … Relentless getting to the rim off the dribble and when the lanes are clogged, he can step back, fade away and get enough space to execute his mid-range shot … Stays low in his stance and looks like an "octopus" moving his hands around actively to disrupt the shooter's attempts when playing one-on-one defense … Even with his slight frame, he has room to carry more bulk without the added weight affecting his quickness … Team-first type of player that does not need to have the ball in his hands to be effective … Takes great pride in his defensive prowess and is unselfish to a fault distributing the ball to get a teammate to take a better shot … Comfortable operating in the team's half court attack, as he knows where he needs to be on the court and shows good positioning skills on help defense … Shows a smooth, effortless shooting stroke, as he demonstrates good balance and body control to put the ball on the floor for several dribbles … Possesses solid touch working off the rim and has the flexibility to shoot with either hand when working around the basket … Has enough foot speed to handle and push the ball forward in transition … Pester-type of defender who does very good job of anticipating the opponent's passes, using his timing effectively to alter those entry attempts (ranks tied for fourth in school annals with 227 steals, getting 161 of them in his last 69 games) … Has the quickness to mirror and stay in front of the perimeter shooters, using his lateral agility to prevent his man from getting into the lanes with-out knowing he has been in a battle (surprisingly effective at battling through screens to cause the turnover) … Gets a lot of his steals coming in from the weak side, as he keeps his hands active (looks like a spider) and is a general nuisance in attempts to prevent the opponent from getting a clean release … Smart player who is quick to spot openings in the lane to drive to the basket and draw contact … Determined driving into the lane, but will not force his shot, especially when he sees an open teammate that he can kick it out to … Very effective setting his feet and executing a quick release … Lacks great strength, but is slippery getting open with the ball in his hands, doing a good job taking his shots coming off the dribble … Takes good angles to the basket and is effective at getting the defense to commit early with solid pump fakes … Good slasher coming out of cuts and does a nice job of fielding the ball and taking it to the basket on screens.

Negatives: Even though he has shown marked improvement as a ball facilitator, Cole is much more polished as a scorer than as a true point guard … Did not see much top-level competition at Cleveland State, leaving some to wonder how he would perform vs. elite opponents, but showed at the Chicago pre-draft camp that he can score vs. the bigger two-guards and might just need patient coaching to refine just a few rough areas in his game … Has just average lateral agility, evident when he has problems getting past the more physical defenders working off screens … While he has pedigree as a shooter, and is still trying to develop his point guard skills, because of his adequate size, narrow frame and lacking that explosive initial step, a potential move to two-guard is not advisable … Has a very good standing reach (7' 11.5"), but his wingspan is just average (6'2 1/4") and he lacks the explosive leaping ability to alter shots by perimeter shooters (just eleven blocks in 140 games) … His wingspan is also noticed when he has some problems with getting his jump shot over bigger wings … Can get out of control with the ball in his hands and gets quite aggressive attacking the basket, which helps him draw contact, but he is also prone to turnovers when pressured by bigger defenders.

Compares To: STEPHEN CURRY, Golden State -- Some scouts feel that Cole is a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body, but his ball handling skills have shown steady improvement since abandoning his wing position to be a one-guard two years ago. Even with his size, he has the defensive skills that can instantly disrupt the opposition's offense. He is effective getting the ball to open shooters in the passing lanes and when he properly sets his feet, he has NBA caliber long range shooting skills. He is a very effective shooter on the move, showing good accuracy when taking his attempts off the dribble. Do not be concerned about the lack of elite competition he has faced. If a GM takes Cole in the draft, leave the lights on in the gym, as this player is certain to spend countless hours there after practice - he has that type of work ethic.

All-American third-team and Super Sleeper Team selection by The NBA Draft Report, as he is listed as the most underrated point guard in the country by that scouting information service … Added Associated Press All-American honorable mention, as he became just the third player in school history to earn national accolades … "I am happy for Norris because this award shows the recognition for all that he did for us this past season," CSU head coach Gary Waters said. "In my estimation, there is only one other guard in the nation who has the total package that Norris has. He scored off the dribble and from the perimeter, passed the ball, rebounded and most importantly, played defense. I couldn't have asked any more from him." … Cole was the only player in the nation to average 20 points, five rebounds and five assists a game this season, joining Clinton Ransey (1985 & 1986) and Clinton Smith (1985) as the only All-Americans in Viking basketball history … The point guard had a record-setting season, as he became the first player in history to be named Horizon League Player of the Year and Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. He is only the second player in school annals to be named even the league player of the year (Ken McFadden in 1987-88) but the first since CSU joined the Horizon League in 1993-94 … Led the Horizon League in scoring (21.7ppg), steals (2.2) and free throw percentage (.853), ranked second in assists (5.4), third in minutes played (35.7), fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93) and defensive rebounds (5.2) and eighth in rebounds. Cole set the CSU single season records for points (780), free throws made (227) and free throws attempted (266), scoring 20 points or more 20 times … Also had the top individual game in the Horizon League this year in scoring (41 vs. Youngstown State), rebounds (20 vs. YSU), free throws made (15 vs. Green Bay) and steals (6 vs. UIC) … Since missing the final free throw vs. Green Bay in the regular season finale on Feb. 26, Cole went a perfect 30-for-30 from the foul line to move within two free throws made of the Cleveland State record for consecutive free throws made. Damon Stringer set the school record with 32 consecutive free throws made in 1999-00 and Trey Harmon had a streak of 29 straight snapped earlier this year … Other honors poured in for Cole, as he was named to the all-district team by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the United States Basketball Writer's Association … Named as one of five finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, which is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation's top collegiate point guard … Cole capped off a championship season by making 251-of-572 field goals (.439), 51-of-149 treys (.342) and 227-of-266 free throws for a total of 780 points, ranking tenth in the nation with a 21.667-point average, as his point total, free throws made and free throw attempts set school season-records … Placed second on the school annual record chart with 191 assists (5.3 apg), good for 36th in the nation … Also had 80 steals, 210 rebounds and three blocked shots … Was tabbed the Horizon League Athlete of the Week a league record tying five times as a senior … Also named as the CSU Student-Athlete of the Month in November after averaging 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals in leading the Vikings to an 8-0 record, as he repeated the honor in December after averaging 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

HIGHLIGHTS

Averaged 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in the three Horizon League Tourney games, going 24-for-24 from the line … Led Vikings with 24 points in tourney semi-final vs. Butler … Had 22 points with 10 rebounds to win the Senior Day game over Green Bay. It was his 10th career double-double and 36th career 20-point game … Posted 19 of his 27 points in the second half vs. Milwaukee … Scored 24 of his Sears BracketBusters record 35 points in the first half vs. Old Dominion, going 8-for-15 from three-point range, the second highest game totals in CSU history, earning Horizon League Player of the Week for his effort … Recorded just the second 40-20 game in the last 15 years, setting career highs with 41 points and 20 rebounds vs. Youngstown State, adding nine assists and three steals while playing all 40 minutes … Had 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds at Detroit, making a career high 12 field goals … Poured in 25 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists in a win over Valparaiso … Named Horizon League Player of the Week on 1/24 after averaging 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in wins over Detroit and Wright State … Had 25 of his game-high 27 points in the second half to help CSU rally from a seven-point deficit to defeat South Florida … Selected Horizon League Player of the Week (12/06) after averaging 23.0 points in wins over Robert Morris, Green Bay and Milwaukee … Scored 26 points, going 15-for-16 from the line, in the win at Green Bay, giving him the fourth-highest free throws made total in CSU history … Named Horizon League Player of the Week (11/15) and was named tournament MVP after averaging 23.3 points in leading CSU to the title of the World Vision Classic … Scored 22 points vs. Valparaiso, with 16 coming in the second half, and was perfect from the line going eight-for-eight with seven assists … Poured in 29 points vs. West Virginia, going 11-for-21 from the field … Totaled 38 points vs. Florida A&M, the ninth-highest single game total in school history. He was 11-for-16 from the field in scoring 27 second-half points.

First team All-Horizon League selection in his first year at point guard … Spent a week during the summer of 2010 by attending the Deron Williams Skills Academy in Chicago, an elite camp open to only the top 10 collegiate point guards … His 539 points scored rank tenth on the school season-record list, as Cole averaged 16.33 points while starting all 33 contests … Hit on 185-of-428 field goals (43.2%), 38-of-111 three-pointers (34.2%) and 131-of-164 free throws (79.9%) … Snared 91 rebounds (2.76 rpg) and blocked three shots, as his 81 steals rank sixth on the CSU season-record chart … Credited with 146 assists (4.42 apg), tied for ninth on the school annual record chart … Finished third in the league in scoring, assists, steals and minutes played (34.0), fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7), and tenth in free throw percentage (.804) … Named the U.S. Army Player of the game after scoring 15 points and handing out a career high 11 assists vs. Loyola in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament, his third career double-double.

Started every game at off-guard as a sophomore, averaging 32.8 minutes to earn team Most Improved Player honors … Was second on the team and sixth in the Horizon League in scoring (13.3), owning 24 double figure and eight 20-point games … Named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.5 points and shooting .479 (23-48) from the field and .942 from the line (16-17) in four tourney games … Chosen Horizon League Player of the Week on Feb. 16 after averaging 17.5 points in wins over Milwaukee and Green Bay … Finished with 492 points, 94 rebounds (2.54 rpg), 90 assists (2.4 apg) and 44 steals (1.2 spg) … Traveled to New Zealand as part of an Athletes In Action tour in August, 2009.

Cole was one of six players who played in every game in 2007-08, but he was the only one to not start a contest, averaging 14.4 minutes … Led the team, shooting .817 from the line (49-of-60) … Averaged 4.9 points per game (167), as he totaled 48 rebounds (1.4 rpg), 28 assists (0.8 apg) and 22 steals (0.65 spg).

Co0le holds the school record by playing in 140 games, tying the season-mark after making 37 appearances during the 2008-09 campaign … Finished his career as the school's career record-holder in consecutive games played (140) and minutes played (4,114) … Also ranks second in career victories (90), third in scoring (1,978), free throws made (479) and field goals attempted (1,554), and fourth in free throws attempted (587) and field goals made (677) … His 139 success three-pointers placed ninth on the school all-time record chart, as his 455 assists tied for third all-time … Also tied for fourth in school annals with 227 steals … Made 251 field goals in 2010-11, fifth-best on the CSU season-record chart … Set school season-records for free throws made (227) and attempted (266), as his .853 free throw percentage as a senior placed third on the Vikings' annual record list … Totaled 191 assists in 2010-11, second-best in school history … His 81 steals as a junior and 80 thefts as a senior rank sixth and seventh, respectively, on the CSU season-record chart … His average of 21.667 points per game last year is the fifth-best season average by a Vikings performer, while his 788 total points established a new CSU season mark … His 539 points scored in 2009-10 rank tenth on the season scoring list … Had 93 career double-figure scoring games (41 straight) and topped the 20-point mark in his career 39 times (20 this year).

Attended Dunbar (Dayton, Oh.) High School, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track … Two-time all-league quarterback, as he completed 148-of-267 passes for 2,267 yards and 19 touchdowns with five 300-yard games as a senior to earn a spot on the 2006 Elite Quarterbacks To Watch list … Added one letter each in both baseball and track, finishing second in the district in the long jump (21'9") … Special mention all-state selection by the Associated Press as a senior for the Dunbar High basketball team, as he paced the squad in scoring (15.5 ppg) as a senior, averaging 4.3 assists and 2.8 steals a game while shooting .490 from the field (164-335), .308 from three-point (20-65) and .775 from the line (86-111), helping Dunbar to a 24-4 record and its second straight state title while starting at point guard … Serving as the team's ball facilitator during his final two seasons, his Dunbar team went 50-6 during that span … Rated as the fifth best point guard and 22nd best player in the state by PrepSpotlight.com … HoopScoop tabbed him as the 18th-best player in the state … Served as Salutatorian of his senior class … Member of the National Honor Society.

Health Science major … Son of Diane and Norris Cole, Sr … Cousin, Trent Cole, is a starting defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles … Born 10/13/88 in Dayton, Ohio.