Better late than never for CHS grad Cox

Travis Cox figures it's better late than never regarding a college basketball career that has been a long time in coming.

Cox, a 1998 Central High School graduate who had his hopes of joining Southeast Missouri State University's program as a walkon last season dashed by the NCAA, recently signed a letter of intent with Division II Oakland City (Ind.) University.

"I'm excited to get a chance to play organized basketball again," Cox said. "It's been a long time for me."

Cox, a 6-foot, 170-pound guard known for his exceptional quickness, never received an opportunity to play collegiately after his Central days but he eventually became a staple in various area pickup games, including at Southeast's Student Recreation Center after he enrolled at the university a couple of years ago.

Cox was able to more than hold his own with Southeast's players and Indians' coach Gary Garner eventually invited him to walk on to the team.

But just prior to last season's beginning of practice, the NCAA ruled that Cox was out of eligibility for Division I basketball because it deemed that his eligibility clock had officially started immediately after graduating from Central when he was involved in an introductory type of program where he took some classes at Southeast and some at an area junior college. Under NCAA rules, Division I athletes have five years to complete their four years of eligibility from the time they first enroll.

"I was ready to play, but the NCAA said I couldn't because my clock had started right after high school," Cox said.

But Cox could still play at a non-Division I program. After continuing to attend Southeast last school year, he received several offers before picking Oakland City, which went 19-11 last season.

"Oakland City is not that far from Cape, they play a really good schedule and I just liked the school," said Cox, who will be a junior in eligibility and plans to major in physical education as he hopes to eventually become a coach.

Oakland City coach Mike Sandifar said he saw Cox play at a college workout and came away impressed. He expects Cox to challenge for a starting position.

"We think he's a really good player," Sandifar said. "Even if he doesn't start, we expect him to play a lot."