Cleveland, OH-Former Cleveland State standout Norris Cole will be inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame next month as part of the 2023 induction class. Cole joins a group of 17 others who will be enshrined at the annual induction ceremony on June 10th in Columbus.
"We are incredibly proud of Norris for all that he has accomplished throughout his career," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Daniyal Robinson. "His impact on our program will be remembered for years to come. We are very proud of the history and tradition here at Cleveland State, and we appreciate the work that Norris and his teammates put in to help build the program into what it is today. I want to congratulate Norris along with his entire family on this tremendous achievement. We appreciate their continued support of our program and look forward to celebrating with them at the ceremony in June!"
Cole had a decorated career as a Viking from 2007-2011. He is part of the most recent class inducted into the Cleveland State Athletics Hall of Fame and his number 30 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Wolstein Center.
Cole led Cleveland State to its most successful season as a sophomore as the Vikings captured a Horizon League tournament title in 2008-09. The Vikings earned a no. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament and upset no. 4 seed Wake Forest in the first round.
As a senior, Cole averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He went on to become the first player in Horizon League history to be named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. He earned AP All America Honorable Mention as well as being named a finalist for the Wooden and Bob Cousy awards.
Cole was also a standout in high school, starring at Dayton Dunbar alongside former Ohio State standout Daequan Cook to form one of the best backcourts in the state. Cole led Dayton Dunbar to back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007. It was then that he caught the eye of longtime Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters who convinced him to wear the green and white.
Following his time in Cleveland he went on to a successful professional career. Cole was selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He won multiple NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Following five seasons with the Heat, he went on to play for the New Orleans Pelicans, the Oklahoma City Thunder as well as several teams overseas. This past year, he played for the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G-League, including a return trip to the Wolstein Center for a game against the Cleveland Charge.
Founded in 2006, the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of both male and female basketball players in high school, college and professional basketball; successful coaches on all levels; and those who have impacted the game along the way. The induction ceremony is a celebration of basketball, its history, and those who have contributed to the game in Ohio.
Click HERE for more information on the Hall of Fame and the induction ceremony weekend.
