_(cropped).jpg) Cole withMaccabi Tel Aviv in March 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 30 – Osos de Manatí | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||
| League | BSN | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1988-10-13)October 13, 1988 (age 36) Dayton, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Dunbar (Dayton, Ohio) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Cleveland State (2007–2011) | ||||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 2011: 1st round, 28th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Selected by theChicago Bulls | |||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2011–present | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| 2011–2015 | Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Shandong Golden Stars | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Sidigas Avellino | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Budućnost | ||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Monaco | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | ASVEL | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Unicaja | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | JL Bourg | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Atléticos de San Germán | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Grand Rapids Gold | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Atléticos de San Germán | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Leones de Ponce | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Al Ahly | ||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | NBA G League Ignite | ||||||||||||||
| 2024–present | Osos de Manatí | ||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com  | |||||||||||||||
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Norris Gene Cole II (born October 13, 1988) is an American professionalbasketball player for theOsos de Manatí of theBaloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). A 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tallpoint guard, he is a two-timeNBA champion, winning back-to-back titles in2012 and2013 with theMiami Heat in his first and second years in the NBA. In his seven NBA seasons, Cole made the playoffs all but once (2016).
Cole was a star atDunbar High School inDayton, Ohio, leading his basketball team to consecutive state championships in his junior and senior years. He was a high school teammate of future NBA playerDaequan Cook (The two later faced each other in the2012 NBA Finals).[1]
Cole was set to go toWalsh University on a football scholarship whenCleveland State basketball coachGary Waters decided to recruit him.
On December 15, 2008, he helped lead Cleveland State to their biggest regular season victory in school history, upsetting the #11Syracuse Orange, 72–69. It was CSU's third-ever win over a Top 25 ranked opponent, and first ever on the road. They would pick up their fourth and fifth wins over Top 25 opponents later that same season when they won at #17Butler in the championship game of theHorizon League Tournament 57–54, and then in the first round of the2009 NCAA tournament when, as the 13th-seeded team in the Midwest bracket, they routed 4th-seeded and #12Wake Forest by a final score of 84–69. His numbers improved over the course of hiscollege basketball career, which culminated in a senior year that saw him average 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game, highlighted by a 41-point, 20-rebound, 9-assist performance againstYoungstown State.[2]
Cole was recognized for his accomplishments by being the first person in the Horizon League's men's basketball history to be named both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, earning an AP All-America Honorable Mention, making the USBWA District V team, as well as the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 12 First Team.[3] He was also a finalist for theWooden Award and a "Final Five" finalist for theBob Cousy Award.[4]
Cole played 140 career games for Cleveland State, averaging 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.4 minutes per game.[5] On February 6, 2016, Cole's No. 30 jersey was retired by Cleveland State during apre-game ceremony.[6]
Cole was drafted by theChicago Bulls in the first round of the2011 NBA draft as the 28th pick out of Cleveland State, but in a series of draft night deals, his rights were subsequently traded to theMinnesota Timberwolves, who then dealt him to theMiami Heat.
After a solid preseason when he averaged 21.3 points and 8 assists, he impressed a nationwide audience in the Heat's home-opener against theBoston Celtics by scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter (making many crucial shots in the closing minutes) to secure a Heat victory in the face of a Celtics comeback attempt. Cole finished that game with a total of 20 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. He became the fourth-fastest rookie in Heat franchise history to score at least 20 points in a game.
Cole was originally left out of the 2012Rising Stars Challenge, but due to the rising stardom ofJeremy Lin, who was added late to the group, Cole was selected as the 20th rookie in order to even out the competition.[7] He tallied 18 points, 6 assists and 4 steals in the game.
Cole finished the2011–12 season averaging 6.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 39% shooting, serving as the team's backup point guard behindMario Chalmers. He made two crucial three-pointers in game 4 of the2012 NBA Finals which would spark a comeback run. Cole won his first championship in his rookie season after the Miami Heat defeated theOklahoma City Thunder 4–1.
Cole played in 80 games in the2012–2013 season, including 4 starts, and averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 assists. In theplayoffs, Cole averaged 6 points a game, including two straight 18-point games against theChicago Bulls in games 2 and 3 of their second-round series. He would be ejected from game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals by refereeKen Mauer after a shoving match withIndiana Pacers forwardJeff Pendergraph, who was also ejected late in the fourth quarter during a 26-point Miami Heat lead.[8] Miami would advance to the Finals, Cole's second trip. Miami pushed theSan Antonio Spurs to 7 games and won the title for Cole's second championship.
In the2013–2014 season, Cole played in all 82 games and started in six games, averaging 6.4 points and 3 assists per game. In the playoffs, Cole scored 13 points in game 4 of the Heat's first-round sweep of theCharlotte Bobcats, and would not score in double figures again until Miami's crucial game 2 victory against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, posting 11 points with two three-point baskets. Miami defeated Indiana 4 games to 2 to advance to their fourth straight Finals and Cole's third. The Heat would once again face the San Antonio Spurs in the2014 NBA Finals, but Miami would lose the series in five games. Cole was the only Heat player who had a contract going through the2014–15 season.
On October 29, 2014, Cole started his first opening-night game and subsequently scored a career-high 23 points in the 107–95 win over theWashington Wizards.[9] In 47 games played and started 23 games with Heat in 2014–15 regular season, Cole averaged 6.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds, .9 steals, and playing 24.4 minutes per game before being traded.
On February 19, 2015, Cole was traded to theNew Orleans Pelicans in a three-team trade involving thePhoenix Suns.[10] Two days later, he made his debut for the Pelicans against his former team, the Miami Heat. In just under 30 minutes off the bench, he recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a 105–91 win.[11] Cole became a replacement for the injuredJrue Holiday. The Pelicans made the playoffs but were swept in their first-round match-up against the eventual champions, theGolden State Warriors. In the 2014–15 playoffs Cole averaged 8.8 points, 1.8 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 26.5 minutes per game; in 28 games played during the regular season (with the Pelicans), he averaged 9.9 points, 3.2 assists, 1.8 rebounds, with 44.4% shooting and 37.8% three-point shooting on 24.4 minutes per game.
In June 2015, the Pelicans tendered a $3.037 million qualifying offer to make Cole a restricted free agent.[12] On September 17, 2015, Cole re-signed with the Pelicans, accepting the one-year, $3.03 million qualifying offer.[13] On December 1, Cole played his first game of the 2015–16 season after missing the Pelicans' first 17 games with a left ankle injury. In just under 23 minutes of action off the bench, he scored 11 points in a loss to theMemphis Grizzlies, as the Pelicans dropped to a 4–14 win–loss record to start the season.[14] On January 2, 2016, he recorded his second career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in a 105–98 win over theDallas Mavericks.[15] On February 6, he scored a career-high 26 points in a loss to theCleveland Cavaliers.[16] In the 45 games he played with the Pelicans during the 2015–16 season, Cole started 23 games, finishing with averages of 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, .8 steals, playing 26.6 minutes per game. Cole missed his first and only NBA playoff appearance with the Pelicans in the 2015–16 season.
On October 5, 2016, Cole signed withShandong Golden Stars of theChinese Basketball Association.[17] On November 30, 2016, he was released by Shandong.[18] In 9 games played for Shandong, Cole averaged 19.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals per game.
On March 1, 2017, Cole signed with theOklahoma City Thunder.[19] In 13 games played for the Thunder, Cole averaged 3.3 points and 1.1 assists in 9.6 minutes per game.
On August 15, 2017, Cole signed a one-year deal with the Israeli teamMaccabi Tel Aviv of theEuroLeague.[20] On November 30, 2017, Cole recorded a season-high 26 points, shooting 4-of-6 from three-point range, along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in an 81–74 win overŽalgiris.[21]
Cole helped Maccabi win the2018 Israeli League Championship, winning his third career title. In 28 EuroLeague games played during the 2017–18 season, Cole averaged 12.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
On August 17, 2018, Cole signed with Italian basketball teamSidigas Avellino for the2018–19 LBA season.[22] On October 7, 2018, Cole made his debut with Avellino in 98–81 win overRed October Cantù, recording 21 points, three rebounds and a career-high 13 assists.[23] Two days later, Cole recorded a career-high 34 points, along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists in a 100–93 win overNizhny Novgorod. He was subsequently namedChampions League Gameday 1 MVP.[24] On October 23, 2018, Cole recorded 33 points, shooting 7-of-13 from three-point range, along with 8 rebounds and 9 assists in a 105–102 overtime win overAnwil Włocławek. He was subsequently namedChampions League Gameday 3 MVP.[25] In 19 games played for Avellino, Cole averaged 16.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and a career-high 6.2 assists.
On December 21, 2018, Cole parted ways with Avellino due to financial difficulties.[26][27]
On December 21, 2018, Cole joined the Montenegrin teamBudućnost Podgorica of theABA League and theEuroLeague, signing for the rest of the season.[28] On December 28, 2018, Cole made his debut in an 88–93 loss toBayern Munich, recording 27 points and six assists off the bench.[29] In 15 Euroleague games played and 12 games started, he averaged 16.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 26.6 minutes per game.
On October 6, 2019, Cole joinedMaccabi Haifa for their 2019 NBA pre-season tour.[30]
On November 11, 2019, Cole signed a one-year deal withMonaco of the FrenchLNB Pro A.[31] On November 20, 2019, he made his debut in a 77–75 win overMaccabi Rishon LeZion, recording 18 points and three assists off the bench.[32]
During the 2020–21 season, Cole played forASVEL Basket, averaging 13.7 points and 3.6 assists per game. He parted ways with the team on July 11, 2021.[33]
On August 19, 2021, Cole signed withUnicaja of theLiga ACB.[34] On March 21, 2022, the club reached a mutual parting agreement with Cole.[35] He had not played since January 25, and averaged 13.4 points and 4.2 assists in 16 games in the Liga ACB.[36]
On March 21, 2022, he has signed withJL Bourg of theLNB Pro A.[37] In eight games with Bourg, he averaged 13.3 points per game.[38]
On November 4, 2022, Cole was named to the opening-night roster for theGrand Rapids Gold.[39] On January 27, 2023, the Gold waived Cole.[40]
In August 2023, Cole signed with the Egyptian championsAl Ahly. He played in the2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup with the Reds,[41] and made his debut on 21 September when he contributed 13 points and 9 assists in Al Ahly's win over theNBA G League Ignite.[42] The Al Ahly win was the first ever by an African club in the competition's history.[42]
In September 2023, following his performance with Al Ahly, Cole joinedOhud Medina of theSaudi Basketball League,[43] but didn't play for them. On November 30, he signed with theNBA G League Ignite.[44]
On April 23, 2024, Cole signed with theOsos de Manatí of theBaloncesto Superior Nacional.[45]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won anNBA championship |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12† | Miami | 65 | 2 | 19.4 | .393 | .276 | .776 | 1.4 | 2.0 | .7 | .0 | 6.8 |
| 2012–13† | Miami | 80 | 4 | 19.9 | .421 | .357 | .650 | 1.6 | 2.1 | .7 | .1 | 5.6 |
| 2013–14 | Miami | 82 | 6 | 24.6 | .414 | .345 | .779 | 2.0 | 3.0 | .9 | .1 | 6.4 |
| 2014–15 | Miami | 47 | 23 | 24.4 | .386 | .265 | .696 | 2.3 | 3.5 | .9 | .2 | 6.3 |
| 2014–15 | New Orleans | 28 | 2 | 24.4 | .444 | .378 | .743 | 1.8 | 3.2 | .5 | .3 | 9.9 |
| 2015–16 | New Orleans | 45 | 23 | 26.6 | .405 | .324 | .800 | 3.4 | 3.7 | .8 | .1 | 10.6 |
| 2016–17 | Oklahoma City | 13 | 0 | 9.6 | .308 | .231 | .800 | .8 | 1.1 | .6 | .0 | 3.3 |
| Career | 360 | 60 | 22.3 | .407 | .324 | .743 | 2.0 | 2.7 | .8 | .1 | 7.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012† | Miami | 19 | 0 | 8.9 | .324 | .250 | .778 | .5 | .6 | .4 | .0 | 1.8 |
| 2013† | Miami | 21 | 0 | 19.9 | .480 | .531 | .737 | 1.9 | 2.0 | .7 | .1 | 6.1 |
| 2014 | Miami | 20 | 0 | 20.2 | .410 | .375 | .867 | 1.1 | 1.8 | .5 | .1 | 4.6 |
| 2015 | New Orleans | 4 | 0 | 26.5 | .417 | .214 | .667 | 1.8 | 1.8 | .0 | .3 | 8.8 |
| 2017 | Oklahoma City | 4 | 0 | 6.1 | .250 | .250 | .0 | .3 | .3 | .0 | .3 | 1.2 |
| Career | 68 | 0 | 16.5 | .421 | .382 | .783 | 1.2 | 1.4 | .4 | .0 | 4.3 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Maccabi | 28 | 3 | 24.5 | .417 | .319 | .817 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 1.1 | .1 | 12.6 | 11.1 |
| 2018–19 | Budućnost | 15 | 12 | 26.6 | .493 | .380 | .857 | 2.7 | 4.6 | .8 | .0 | 16.6 | 15.2 |
| Career | 43 | 15 | 25.2 | .447 | .345 | .829 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 1.0 | .0 | 14.0 | 12.5 | |
| Year | Team | League | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 |  Shandong Golden Stars | CBA | 9 | 27.5 | .412 | .286 | .769 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.6 | .0 | 19.1 |
| 2017–18 |  Maccabi Tel Aviv | IPL | 32 | 22.9 | .418 | .231 | .791 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 1.1 | .1 | 11.8 |
| 2018–19 |  Sidigas Avellino | LBA | 10 | 30.1 | .434 | .327 | .719 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 1.2 | .0 | 16.3 |
| 2018–19 |  Budućnost Podgorica | ABA | 17 | 25.0 | .460 | .291 | .750 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 1.0 | .0 | 13.2 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Cleveland State | 34 | 0 | 14.4 | .380 | .238 | .817 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 4.9 |
| 2008–09 | Cleveland State | 35 | 33 | 32.8 | .453 | .305 | .804 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 13.3 |
| 2009–10 | Cleveland State | 33 | 33 | 34.2 | .432 | .342 | .799 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 16.3 |
| 2010–11 | Cleveland State | 36 | 36 | 35.7 | .439 | .342 | .853 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 21.7 |
| Career | 138 | 102 | 29.4 | .435 | .321 | .826 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 14.1 | |
Cole was a member of the National Honor Society and served as thesalutatorian of his high school senior class. He earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences from Cleveland State.
He is the cousin of retireddefensive endTrent Cole.[46]
