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In an effort to keep even the most hardcore Miami fan up to date on their favorite players, SOTU will be running a Player Profile series. In these posts, our writers will profile two players from each position that they think should get more face time. They will recap their previous year, or in some cases, preview what may be to come. That way, when the season get's here, you hopefully will have a new found love for the team on the field.
[Cornelius Elder] - [Freshman] - [Guard] - [5'10'' 173 Lbs] - [Nashville, Tennessee]
Corn Elder has gotten some nice playing time for Al Golden and the #7 Hurricanes as a freshman, but once that season is over, he's Jim Larranaga's for the Winter. Elder always expressed his desire to play basketball at the next level while maintaining his football career alive and Miami has given him that opportunity. There's no doubt that was a big part of the reason why Elder, who was a late commit chose Miami.
Elder was a three-star basketball recruit and had a very successful high school career. Elder averaged 20.2 points and 4.7 assists a game as a senior, but most impressively, he recorded over 4 steals a game. There's absolutely no denying that Elder is an absolute athlete, and if you're wondering if he can handle the grind of both football and basketball, he won the 2013 player of the year in both football and basketball while in high school. Sure, the speed and the physicality at a division one level is nothing comparable to Tennessee athletics, but the kid loves to play both sports and he's pretty good at both of them. Elder had basketball scholarship offers from Charleston, Florida Gulf Coast, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee St.
Elder is currently in the middle of his first football season with the Canes, but he's expected to join the hoops team as soon as football season comes to a close (hopefully it's the last day). It's tough to predict what Elder will do or when he'll be ready to suit up for the Canes, but I think he'll provide some energy and add another scoring guard who can create his own shot, something the Canes are going to need this season. Best case scenario is that Elder comes in during ACC play and contributes as perhaps the third point guard and worst-case scenario is he either redshirts or has a tough time finding a spot in the rotation which might be set by January. Let's hope it's the best-case scenario because this kid really does love to play at a high level in both sports.