WINTER HAVEN – When forward Keenon Cole left his home state for Polk State College, he was looking to regain his love for the game of basketball. With his college career now complete, Cole leaves Lindenwood University as one of the most accomplished players in the program's young history.

A native of Streamwood, Ill., Cole spent his first two years in college less than an hour from home at Northern Illinois University, an NCAA Division I program. After appearing in just 19 games, shooting just 24% from the field, and scoring just 28 total points, Cole closed his college career with three straight All-Conference selections.

"It means a lot to me," Cole reflected. "It shows my perseverance, my work ethic, and that I was able to overcome adversity to achieve my goals."

During the 2021-22 season, Cole's lone year at Polk State, the 6-foot-7 forward earned first-team All-Central Conference honors. Cole averaged nearly 12 points and better than five rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the floor and 41% from deep.

"Being at Polk made me hungry for the game of basketball again," Cole recalled. "Going from Division I with elite facilities to junior college where everything wasn't always peaches and cream made me appreciate the grind. I never took the game for granted again."

With a strong roster that included honorable mention NJCAA All-American Tommie Lewis and All-Conference guard Freddie Word, Cole helped the Eagles reach the FCSAA Tournament for the first time under Head Coach Brandon Giles. Polk State equaled its best mark under Giles, finishing with a record of 21-10.

"His maturity and his personality always stood out," Giles said of Cole. "He fell back in love with the game here and continued to grow. His teammates helped him get better. I remember him always being understanding when it came to the tough conversations."

 As a junior during the 2022-23 season at Lindenwood, Cole had the most efficient offensive season of his career. He shot 52% from the field and better than 46% from beyond the arc. Cole averaged nearly 13 points and 5.7 rebounds per game to earn second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors.

"My Polk State coaches had an amazing impact on me," Cole said. "They gave me confidence, supported me, and guided me to get back to the Division I level. I wouldn't have done it without them. I'll always appreciate and love them for that."

As he returned for his senior season, Cole found himself in a new role – as the go-to guy offensively. After sharing the spotlight with Word and Lewis at Polk State and then Chris Childs as a junior at Lindenwood, Cole was tasked with carrying the team on a nightly basis. He responded by having one of the best seasons in program history.

"Everyone wants to be the leading scorer, but a lot comes with that," Cole explained. "I fully embraced being the top option. You're the focal point every night. It built my character and work ethic. I really grew as a player and found ways to make my teammates better."

As a senior this past season, Cole averaged a career-best 18.1 points per game – good for fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference and the sixth highest in Lindenwood history. His 544 points were also good for the sixth most in a single season. Cole led the team and ranked in the top 10 in the OVC by averaging 6.2 rebounds and shooting nearly 82% from the free-throw line.

"To see him become the man at his new school makes me proud," Giles said. "His patience really paid off. I'm pleased he signed a contract to go play in Europe that pays him well."

Following a second straight second-team All-Ohio Valley recognition and a third straight All-Conference honor going back to his time at Polk State, Cole signed with the Norrköping Dolphins of the Basketligan. The Basketligan is the premier league in Sweden. With seven titles, Norrköping is one of its most storied franchises.

"I look at the way my college career started and how it ended," Cole concluded. "I'll always remember the experiences and how much I grew. I went through all the ups and downs that a player can go through. I grew as a person along the way. I didn't let anything get in the way of achieving my goals."