Q and A with Sperry's C.J. Cole

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Recruited as a preferred walk-on, Sperry senior forward C.J. Cole will join the Oklahoma Sooners next season to play for coach Lon Kruger. Vype University recently caught up with the 6-foot-7 Cole for a Q and A after practice. As junior, Cole averaged 23.5 points and 15.5 rebounds. Through 14 games this season, Cole is averaging 19.8 points and a metro-area best 17.3 rebounds.

VypeU: How’s your season going so far?

Cole: Great. We’re 14-0 on the season.  We play in the Mounds Tournament this week.

VypeU: How do you feel you have played to this point?

Cole: My points are down a little but my rebounding is up over last year. Also, my assists are up this year. I just feel my all-around game has gotten better.

VypeU: Is that something you have dedicated yourself to in preparation for college?

Cole: Yes. You can’t be one-dimensional at the next level. It might work in high school sometimes but at the college level you have to be able to do more.

VypeU: You had offers from Davidson and OU. How did you make your choice?

Cole: Mostly, it was because it was close to home. Oklahoma is a school I have wanted to go to since I was a little kid. My parents are OU fans, so naturally, I’m an OU fan. I love the campus and the coaches are great. I love coach Kruger. He knows what he is doing. I believe he can make me a great player.

VypeU: Did you wonder if you made the right choice after Davidson upset Kansas earlier this year?

Cole: No. (laughs). I was excited for them. I know the guys on the team. They are great guys.

VypeU: What do you do in your spare time?

Cole: Mostly, I hang out with my friends or watch basketball, play video games with my brother, Casey.

VypeU: Is it fun playing alongside your brother?

Cole: It’s a blast. I love it. Not a lot of athletes get a chance to do that. It’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. Having the chemistry on the court that we have from growing up together, it’s great.

VypeU: You are 6-7, Casey is 6-5. How tall are your parents?

Cole: My Dad (Chad) is 6-5, my Mom (Gaile) is 6-3.

VypeU: What is your favorite video game?

Cole: Call of Duty.

VypeU: What else do you do?

Cole: I’m very active in my church, Friendship Baptist in Owasso. I’m always there on Wednesday and Sunday.

VypeU: What do you plan to study at OU?

Cole: Biochemistry. I have a 4.0 at Sperry. I plan to redshirt next year to get into the flow of college and get my body where it needs to be for workouts.

VypeU: Who is your favorite pro player?

Cole: Tim Tebow is my favorite. He’s a good example for any sport.

VypeU: Who is your favorite basketball player?

Cole: Kevin Durant.