When Nate Cohen was searching for a college to continue his basketball career after Somers, the Class of ’24 graduate made playing time his top priority.
He chose SUNY Canton, put in the work, and seemed on track to make the lineup—until an injury derailed his plans. All he could do was roll with the setbacks, but eventually, perseverance paid off.
Missing the first seven games, he said, “by my fourth game back I was starting and had 19 points.”
Excitement, not nerves, defined his freshman debut. “I was excited,” he said, “because playing college basketball was a dream.”
That dream hit an early bump when he got hurt in the first practice. “My ankle blew up like a balloon,” he said.
Two months in a boot and steady physical therapy brought him back after Christmas break. “I didn’t play great, but it was my first game so it was ok,” said Cohen.
From there, he logged 25 minutes in each of the next two games, focusing on his role. “I played the role that the coaches asked,” said the former Tusker.
By season’s end, Cohen hit his stride—scoring a season-high 23 points against Plattsburgh and helping take down first-place New Paltz in the finale.
“We played big,” he said, after the 15-point win.
The leap from high school to college was no small adjustment. Players were “bigger, stronger and smarter,” but Cohen felt ready. “I see things now that I didn’t see before,” he revealed. That included anticipating defensive plays and working for the best team shot.
“It changes the way you think about the game,” he said.
Off the court, Cohen tackled his academics with equal focus. A Health and Fitness major, he’s aiming for a career in physical therapy or chiropractic work. Anatomy, he said, “was hard but also one of my favorites.”
Managing classes on the road was another hurdle, but professors supported him. “They helped me get back in the classroom, schedule extra time and catch up on assessments and lectures,” he said.
He shared a suite with four teammates, and the team stayed close off the court. “We hang out as a team but not so much at parties,” he said. “We get together at someone’s house,” often joined by the women’s basketball team.
Cohen has since entered the transfer portal, landing at SUNY Oneonta.
“They really wanted me there,” he said, noting the program’s winning record and “a little better academically.” He’ll major in Exercise Science with a minor in Coaching.
Long term, basketball remains in his plans. “I’m looking to try to play pro basketball overseas,” said the sophomore.
For now, he’s reflecting on Year One.
“I learned to live on my own, deal with my schedule and my classes and was able to get through it,” he concluded. “I’ll do it again and I can improve from there.”
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