Norris Cole
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- Organization:
- Men's Basketball
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- Year:
- Class of 2023
Cole (2007-11) was a mainstay in the men's basketball lineup during his time at Cleveland State, helping the team gain national recognition during his sophomore season when the Vikings captured the 2009 Horizon League Tournament title and upset Wake Forest in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. As the first player in Horizon League history to be named the Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, Cole guided Cleveland State to three 20-wins seasons during his career, and a trio of postseason appearances (2008 NIT, 2009 NCAA Tournament, 2011 NIT).
Playing in a program record 140 games, Cole graduated ranked in a variety of CSU Career Record Book categories including; points (3rd – 1,978), free throw percentage (3rd - .826), free throws made (3rd – 485), assists (4th – 455), field goals made (4th – 677), and steals (7th – 207). In addition, Cole set a CSU Single-Season Record with 780 points during his senior campaign, while finishing second with 191 assists.
During his senior season, Cole was named one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, while also earning All-America honors from the Associated Press, Mid-Major CollegeHoops.net, Mid-Major College Basketball News, and CollegeInsider.com.
In 2016 Cole became the third player in program history to have his jersey retired, while he will become the 28th men's basketball student-athlete to be inducted into the Cleveland State Athletics Hall of Fame.
