Cofer keys FSU’s resurgence
Seminoles in second straight NCAA tourney
TALLAHASSEE While the majority of Florida State’s basketball players have contributed to the team’s overall culture change, senior Phil Cofer has witnessed the evolution firsthand.
During Cofer’s freshman season in 2014-15, FSU’s roster featured a sharpshooting freshman guard in Xavier RathanMayes, but lacked considerable depth and talent. The Seminoles did not play postseason basketball of any kind for the first time in nine seasons.
Cofer, a 6-9 forward with freakish athleticism, became a building block as longtime head coach Leonard Hamilton and his assistant coaching staff worked to alter the roster to present a greater challenge in the ACC.
The Seminoles fielded their best team in program history last season and continued to see the fruits of their labor, earning the second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, partly behind the leadership and resilience of Cofer, one of the ACC’s most improved players this season.
“It’s definitely come far — the culture is definitely changing,” Cofer said as the No. 8 seeded Seminoles prepare to play No. 9 seed Missouri late Friday night in Nashville, Tenn.
“[FSU has] turned into a big-time school. I think everybody is doing a pretty good job trying to change the culture player-wise, and trying to get that junkyard defense back.”
A defining trait in Hamilton’s coaching career has been his team’s defensive intensity. But in recent years, Hamilton has worked to rely on guardheavy sets with a stretch power forward to spread the floor offensively and remain nimble enough defensively with a shotblocking presence.
Players like RathanMayes, Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley and Jonathan Isaac from 2015-17 provided NBA talent for the Seminoles, while players like Cofer and leading scorer Terance Mann provided the glue as players who matured into major contributors later in their college careers.
Cofer fits Hamilton’s need for versatility and athleticism at forward, and is having the best season of his career, averaging 13.1 points with 5.1 rebounds for the Seminoles.
“He’s giving a tremendous effort on both ends of the floor,” Mann said of Cofer. “He worked hard in the offseason, and he’s been doing a great job of getting everybody on the same page.”
Cofer is preparing to further FSU’s culture in the NCAA tournament, but there is a chance he could have another season of eligibility to do so. FSU will request a medical redshirt for Cofer’s sophomore season after this season with hopes he can play for the team next season.
In the meantime, Cofer wants to continue playing with his improved mindset — like he has nothing to lose, and everything to gain.