2015-2016 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in four games and played a total of 11 minutes…did not score but pulled down one rebound.
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HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL: Graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia, MO….played for Head Coach Steve Goodwin…averaged 20 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 50 percent from the field as a senior…helped Sedalia to a 31-0 record and the 2015 Missouri State Championship as a senior…scored 27 points in the State Quarterfinal against West Platte on March 3, 2015…nailed nine three-pointers en route to a career high 32 point performance against Santa Fe on Dec. 19, 2014…First Team All-State, All-District and All Kaysinger Conference performer…All-Area Player of the Year…was one of 10 finalists for Mr. Missouri Basketball…team compiled a 83-4 record during his three-year varsity career…parents are Mark and Jacqueline Cox…enjoys all outdoor sports…born Aug. 9, 1995 in Columbia, MO.
By definition, a walk-on is a non-scholarship player whose family is paying the bill for their entire college experience - tuition, books, room, meals and fees. At USF or other WCC schools, that can be quite an expensive ticket. But the good news, if you ask the players, is they all get the same swag as the others. Three walk-on players are included on this year's USF roster. Stefan Cox, Stokley Chaffee and Randy Cruzet all had their share of high school stardom which helped pave their path to the Hilltop. Cox and Chaffee were selectively recruited, while Cruzet had to make his own first hand impression.
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Head Coach Rex Walters understands it is crucial to have a strong stable of walk-ons, especially when it comes to scout team. In order to help prep the rotation players for every game, the walk-ons have to learn the schemes of each opponent, while also becoming familiar with USF's game plan as well. Past walk-ons like Gavin Hoffman and Jay Wei played their way into the rotation. Although they were never on scholarship, they played critical roles in the success of the Dons. "They're learning twice as much as the other guys," Walters said. "That's why it's hard to be a walk-on as a freshman. They have to be really smart players, understand the game, be great listeners and be able to put that on the court."
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The coaching staff puts a big emphasis on the types of walk-ons they want in their program. They look for players who are unselfish teammates, but who are also eager to get playing time. "We want guys who are going to appreciate the role that they're in at that particular time," said Associate Head Coach Frank Allocco. "They need to understand their role and what they can do to help the team. They have to be great teammates because they are serving others in that particular position. We also want to see guys who have hunger and aren't content and want to earn time and compete at a high level (USFAthletics)."
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