Prospect Spotlight: Cole Middleton (2021)
Pace Academy sophomore Cole Middleton has been a big-man his whole basketball career, and is now working to become a viable wing. The 6-foot-6 combo-forward has established himself as a dominant post player, and it’s his outside jumper and slashing…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPace Academy sophomore Cole Middleton has been a big-man his whole basketball career, and is now working to become a viable wing.
The 6-foot-6 combo-forward has established himself as a dominant post player, and it’s his outside jumper and slashing ability that’s been improving over the past year.
“I’ve been playing basketball since I was 12 and was always the biggest guy on my team, so I was raised as a post. I’m good down there, got a nice jump-hook, but I’m big on blocking shots, rebounding, that kind of stuff,” said Middleton.
“I’ve got a nice mid-range and have been working on my 3-point shot, which is why I’ve moved to the small forward spot a little bit. And I’ve been working on my slashing ability, too.”
Two months ago, Middleton’s sophomore season at Pace Academy was cut short when he suffered a foot injury. He had been the main man for the Knights.
“Last year when I was a freshman, we had Isaiah Kelly, who was a senior and is now at Yale, and I was kind of a Robin to his Batman. This year, my challenge has been to take on that role of Batman for our team,” said Middleton.
He says he’s ahead of schedule with the recovery process, and could be back before his sophomore season is finished. Middleton will definitely be back in time for the start of his 16U offseason with HYPE.
Currently, Middleton has two scholarship offers; one from Tennessee D2 Trevecca Nazarene, he has a relative that coaches there, and another from Georgia State. He mentioned Georgia, Mercer, Yale, Baylor, Middle Tennessee State and Georgia Tech as programs that have been showing interest.
“Going into my AAU season I’m looking to get known a little more statewide. And I’m going to go in with a lot of energy since I have to miss so much time leading into it,” said Middleton.
“And me and the guys on my team are looking for a lot of exposure, a bunch of offers and that kind of stuff.”