"Three-Level Fire With a Forward’s Strength and a Guard’s Vision"

Cole Floyd

@ColeF9183

6'8, Class of 2028

Ferris HS , WA

Cole brings a dynamic mix of scoring, passing, and physical play that lets him help his team in several ways. He describes himself as a skilled forward with a high basketball IQ, able to make shots from every level and find teammates when the defense turns its attention to him. He takes pride in defending, too, and wants a coach to know he will give everything he has to help his team win. That combination of skill and fierce commitment gives Cole a game that goes well beyond putting the ball in the basket.

During his sophomore season, Cole averaged 17.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and earned All-GSL Second Team honors. His team had a young roster and faced its share of ups and downs, but he kept the same mindset each game: go to work, make the right plays, and try to win. His favorite moment came in a rivalry game when he scored 21 points and helped lead his team to a victory that meant a great deal to him. The postseason ended sooner than the team wanted, leaving Cole and his teammates hungry to make a deeper run together.

Cole has worked to make his game more complete since that season ended. He says his biggest improvements have been his strength, his ability to create his own shot, and his defense. Getting stronger can help him hold his ground, while improved shot creation gives him another answer when a defender stays close. He's taken pride in being able to guard different opponents, adding a physical edge to the skill and court vision he already brings.

The summer gave Cole a chance to test those changes against strong competition. At the WIBCA D1 Showcase, he averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game by getting to his spots and making plays that helped his team. He also dealt with a few minor injuries during a summer that had its highs and lows. Even so, he kept competing and found ways to show his scoring touch, his work on the boards, and his willingness to get teammates involved.

Cole has faced games when the shots wouldn't fall, and things didn't go his way. Those stretches have challenged him to stay positive and trust the work he's put into his game. He knows a missed shot can't decide what he does on the next possession. His response is to keep playing with confidence, defend, find a teammate, and look for another way to help his team.

His offseason has been built on getting stronger and adding size while continuing to grow his skills. Cole credits his work with Tommy Bk for helping him physically, and he's continued developing his game with trainers Dan Dickau and Toney Skinner. Those workouts are part of a bigger goal: he wants his team to win a lot of games, and he wants to show how much his game has grown. After the way last season ended, every session gives him another chance to prepare for the run he and his teammates want.

Cole believes his versatility is the most underrated part of his game. He can score, distribute, rebound, and take on different defensive assignments, giving a coach several ways to use him. Just as valuable to him is being a teammate others can count on. He's willing to do the tough work, bring full energy every time he steps on the court, and put winning ahead of his own numbers.

The people behind Cole give that work its deepest meaning. His faith in God comes first, followed by his mom and everything she's done to help him reach this point. He also carries the memory of his grandma Kiki and his other grandparents, knowing how much they would have loved to watch him succeed in the game he loves. When Cole talks about giving everything he has, he's thinking of them as well as the teammates beside him.

I assess that Cole’s ability to score at every level is made more dangerous by his willingness to pass. He can recognize when a shot is there, read how a defender responds, and find another option when the play calls for it. His strength and rebounding give him ways to contribute inside, while his shooting touch stretches what he can do as a forward.

Cole has the potential to become a powerful all-around presence because his growing shot creation and defensive range fit naturally with his high-IQ game. He can take on a tough matchup, make a smart decision with the ball, and help his team stay connected when a game gets tough. That mix of skill, toughness, and feel gives him the tools to make a bigger impact this season.