Liam Cox is a basketball player and if he’s not careful, his grade point average may go higher than his scoring average.
And last year he averaged 10.2 points per game.
“Liam is simply one of the best – truly a phenomenal student,” Nottingham High School English teacher and National Honor Society President Lauren Adams said. “I was fortunate enough to be his Honors English teacher in 10th grade and I was so impressed with his intellect and abilities.”
That intellect has the senior’s GPA at an amazing 4.95 as he will have taken eight advanced placement classes in Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and English by the time he graduates. And yet, he hardly comes across as a snooty know-it-all.
“Along with demonstrating the intelligence and work ethic one would expect from a student at the top of his class, Liam is also very insightful and witty, proving that he is more than just ‘book smart,’” Adams said. “He is a very respectful, well-rounded kid, and it would make any teacher or coach happy to see Liam’s name on your roster. “
Chris “The Baron” Raba is certainly happy to have Cox on his basketball roster. Along with pacing the Stars in scoring last year, he also led in rebounds (6.5 per game), was third in steals (22) and chipped in with 19 assists. His efforts made him a third-team All-Colonial Valley Conference player as voted on by the coaches.
Raba feels the 6-foot-4 post player is as smart on the court as he is off it.
“Liam can pick plays up very quickly, which is very rare,” the veteran coach said. “He only needs to be taught the pattern once or twice. His basketball IQ has improved the last few years playing varsity basketball. He is always asking questions, because he is always engaged in our practices.
“Liam is the epitome of what a student-athlete should be. He comes to class and basketball hungry to learn, and embraces the ‘hard.’ He is always encouraging his teammates, whether he’s in the game or on the bench. He understands knowledge is never static. He’s like a sponge, always trying to absorb more knowledge, whether in the classroom, or on the basketball court.”
Cox comes from an athletic family although he is the first to play high school basketball; much to the enjoyment of his mom, Lisa.
“She was a big in high school out in Idaho,” Cox said. “She loves basketball and everything about it.”
The entire family went to Brigham Young University and was not feel happy about BYU’s College Football Playoff snub in deference to Alabama. But they see the glass as half full.
“They’re taking it pretty hard but it’s all right, the basketball team is doing pretty well,” Cox said. “Alabama does have the bigger (football) brand so it’s a little rough.”
Just as the family’s basketball battles were rough. The youngest (and tallest) of five children, Liam played backyard ball with his siblings, who are “all very competitive.” Both brothers played hockey, one at BYU; one sister did winter track in high school and the other swam.
Finally, Lisa got a hoopster in the bunch, and took a hands-on interest.
“She coached me throughout my rec league,” said Cox, who played strictly Hamilton Little Lads. “She was a big when she played so she taught me a lot about rebounding. She was my coach up until eighth grade.”
The Northstars’ staff got him a year later and knew they had a project worth undertaking.
“On the freshman team, the coaches saw his raw potential,” Raba said. “He was a bigger kid that could run like a deer. Halfway through his sophomore year on JV, he started to put some things together. The coaches knew that he was going to replace Dom (Raymond) once Dom graduated.”
Cox became an impact player on one of the rare Nottingham teams that struggled with a 9-17 record. The big man collected five double-doubles and came within two rebounds of two more. He exploded for 31 points and 15 rebounds against Doane Academy, but was not scorer on the blocks.
“Most of his baskets are in the open court; running the floor, going coast to coast on a drive,” Raba said. “We are trying to develop him into a player with some post moves. Liam had some incredible games last year, but his biggest thing was that he was inconsistent. He knows the better players are very consistent and his teammates can count on him every game.”
Raba is expecting Cox to average a double-double this season. He nearly got one in the second game when he collected 10 points and eight boards and hit two huge free throws in Nottingham’s win over Princeton. He suffered a cut in the head that game and was expected to miss at least one contest.
He intended on following Raba’s orders upon returning.
“I’m planning on getting better; hopefully get a little more consistent,” Cox said. “The plan is to win as a team. We didn’t have as good of a year as we wanted to last year so, we just want to improve.”
He does not plan on being the offense’s focal point, but knows he must contribute.
“Because we have so many returners we’re gonna spread it around a little bit,” Cox said. “But as the ball comes to me, if I’m able to score, obviously the point is to put points on the board and win.
“If I can spread out my offense a little more it’s gonna open everything up for everyone else. If I can score from a little farther out the driving lanes will open up as well.”
Cox is unable to play AAU ball due to his rigorous schedule that also includes spring track & field. But he worked hard over the summer playing with his teammates to build chemistry, and has taken a huge step in his leadership skills
“He has been much more vocal this year on the court,” Raba said. “He always plays hard, and he has built strong bonds with his teammates. His teammates look at him for leadership and advice. He is always encouraging kids at practice, and he is always helping them learn our patterns on offense, and our defensive system. He is constantly helping the younger players on the court.”
Off the court, he hits the books hard but when asked about his GPA he sheepishly said, “I feel bad. Most of it does come naturally.
“At school I’m very locked in,” he added. “I try to get as much done as I can at school either at different study periods; or if I finish an assignment I’ll study or work on something because I know I have practice after school and don’t have as much time.”
His schedule also includes volunteer work for the National Honor Society and Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. He got his Eagle Scout badge in middle school and builds bird feeders for local hospices and senior centers.
“The Boy Scouts helps with life preparation,” Cox said. “It gives you a lot of lessons you don’t get in school like learning how to cook and budgeting in your finances.”
In looking at colleges Cox wants to major in physics or engineering and is hoping for some academic scholarships. He has looked at schools in Colorado and Utah and may keep the family tradition alive by attending BYU.
One thing is certain to Raba – Cox is equipped to succeed.
“Liam has incredible character,” the coach said. “He is always doing the right thing, and that is the one fundamental trait to being successful in life. Like Aristotle said – ‘We are what we repeatedly do.’
“His values and habits of his daily routines are exemplary. He respects himself, he respects others, and that’s one of his biggest attributes. When he makes a mistake, he is the first one to acknowledge it, and apologize for it. Character starts with the little things, and Liam has high values and high standards in the classroom and on the basketball court.”
Not to mention a supremely high GPA.