Lexington's CJ Cox playing for Purdue in NCAA Tournament
A New Englander has come home for the NCAA Tournament. CJ Cox grew up in Lexington before starting for Purdue University basketball as a freshman.
Purdue tips off in Providence
The Boilermakers begin their March Madness run in Providence, Rhode Island for the first two rounds of the tournament.
"I am excited for that. I was watching Selection Sunday, and I was praying that we got the spot here in Providence," said Cox. "My dad and my sister are coming. A lot of my aunts and uncles, friends, and relatives."
Before he took the court for Purdue, he was a star at Lexington High School. He later transferred to Milton Academy where he led them to the 2023 ISL and NEPSAC championships.
"Throughout high school, I always loved playing defense whether that's guarding their best player or point guard," said Cox.
Perhaps that came from his father, a former safety for the Harvard Crimson, or his mother, a track runner at Syracuse.
"I just feel like I am making them proud by doing my best," says Cox.
While playing for his AAU club basketball team in Las Vegas, he was spotted by Purdue Head Basketball Coach Matt Painter.
"He played really well against his AAU team the Middlesex Magic. I didn't know who he was. He scored 27 to 30 points, and after the game, all of the guys on his AAU team went and hugged him," remembered Painter, talking to reporters at an NCAA Tournament press conference.
Hometown support
Now Cox is starting for the 4th seeded Boilermakers who are ready to face High Point in the first round of the tournament. Administrators at Lexington High School say some of the staff is already wearing black and gold to support him.
"I had no clue that they are doing that, but I'm glad, and very thankful they are supporting me," says Cox. "I feel like Massachusetts is a very underrated state wen it comes to basketball. There are a lot of good players, a lot of good programs here."
Now it's up to Cox to bring a National Championship back to a region used to raising banners.
