Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball player Cole Currie commits to Tulane University
After showcasing his talent to become a key contributor on the Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball team the past four years, Cole Currie is set to embark on the next phase of his career.
Currie’s journey will take him to Louisiana, where he’s committed to play for Tulane University.
Currie, the reigning All-Area Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year, announced the decision Tuesday on his Twitter account.
“I went down there last week to visit and everything seemed great, from the facilities to the academics,” said Currie, a guard who averaged 19.1 points and five rebounds per game in leading Crescenta Valley to an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division I-A playoffs and state tournament. “Ultimately, the coaches were the deciding factor and it’s a perfect fit for me.
“I wasn’t recruited [during last season], so that left me to focus on basketball. After the season, it took a little bit of a toll not being recruited, but everything turned out great in the end.”
Tulane, a private university located in New Orleans, finished 20-16 and 6-10 in Conference USA for fifth place under coach Ed Conroy last season. The Green Wave participated in the CollegeInside.com Tournament, winning the program’s first postseason game since 1996. The event is a 32-team national tournament featuring schools from 23 Division I conferences.
Tulane enjoyed its first 20-win campaign since the 1999-2000 season and 11th in its history. Tulane will spend next season in Conference USA and will move to the Big East Conference in all sports, beginning with the 2014-15 season.
Tulane’s recent measure of success played a factor in Currie’s consideration.
“They had a good team last year, but coach Conroy believes in me,” said Currie, who averaged 4.5 assists per game and earned All-CIF Southern Section Division I-A first-team honors last season. “All I can do is ask for an opportunity, so I know I will have to go there and work hard to compete for it.
“I’ve learned a lot about leadership, on and off the court the last four seasons, and I want to carry that over to Tulane.”
Crescenta Valley Coach Shawn Zargarian said Tulane will provide Currie, who was named the Pacific League’s co-Most Valuable Player last season, with multiple opportunities on and off the court.
“When he came back from his visit, I got the sense that he was leaning toward Tulane,” Zargarian said. “It’s a Division I program and you can get a great education there, so those were the things he was looking for the most.
“I think he can definitely play at the next level. I’m excited and happy for him.”
