Modie Cox
{{short description|American former basketball player (born 1972)}}
{{About|the basketball player|the footballer|Maurice Cox}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| image = File:Modie Cox playing for the Buffalo Rapids at Buffalo State Sports Arena in 2006.jpg
| width =
| caption = Cox with the Buffalo Rapids, 2006
| name = Modie Cox
| number = 12
| position = Point guard
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs =
| league =
| team =
| team_link =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|12|29}}
| birth_place = Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
| highschool = La Salle
| college = Buffalo (1992–1995)
| draft_year =
| career_start = 1996
| career_end = 2007
| coach_start = 1997
| years1 = 1996–1998
| team1 = Connecticut Pride
| years2 = 1998–1999
| team2 = Pietermaritzburg Tuskers (PBL)
| years3 = 1999–2000
| team3 = Milton Keynes Lions
| years4 = 2005–2006
| team4 = Buffalo Rapids
| years5 = 2006–2007
| team5 = Buffalo Silverbacks
| cyears1 = 1997–1998
| cteam1 = Buffalo (graduate assistant)
| cyears2 = 2000–2002
| cteam2 = Niagara Catholic (assistant)
| cyears3 = 2005–2006
| cteam3 = Buffalo Rapids (assistant)
| cyears4 = 2006–2007
| cteam4 = Buffalo Silverbacks (assistant)
| cyears5 = 2021–2022
| cteam5 = St. Mary's (assistant)
| cyears6 = 2023–present
| cteam6 = Niagara Falls (assistant)
| highlights = As player:
- ABA Community Service Award (2007)
- All-MCC Team (1995)
- WNY Player of the Year (1991)
- Nike All-American, Honorable Mention (1990)
- New York State Class B champion (1988)
As assistant coach:
- CHSAA Class B champion (2022)
| medal_templates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalSport|Representing the Western Region}}
{{MedalCompetition|Empire State Games}}
{{MedalGold|1991 Albany|}}
}}
Modie Cox (born December 29, 1972) is an American former basketball player. He played collegiately for the Buffalo Bulls, and professionally for the Pietermaritzburg Tuskers, Milton Keynes Lions, Buffalo Rapids and Buffalo Silverbacks. As a player, he has been New York State Class B champion, Empire State Games gold medalist, and All-MCC honoree.
Cox is currently assistant coach for the Niagara Falls Wolverines. He previously was assistant coach for the Buffalo Bulls, Niagara Catholic Patriots, Buffalo Rapids, Buffalo Silverbacks and St. Mary's Lancers. As a coach, he has been CHSAA Class B champion.
An acclaimed motivational speaker, Cox has toured his Winning Because I Tried outreach program for youths and vulnerable populations since 2007. He was awarded the inaugural ABA Community Service Award in honor of his work.
High school career
Maurice "Modie" Cox was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and raised by his grandmother until her death.{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Jerry | title=UB STAR RISES ABOVE THE STREETS MODIE COX EXCELS ON AND OFF COURT | website=Buffalo News | date=October 13, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ub-star-rises-above-the-streets-modie-cox-excels-on-and-off-court/article_e4ae6069-f72c-523f-a9a4-88f61b738963.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}} Cox never knew his biological father, and his mother was a drug addict.{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Jerry | title=Truth ties Cox to kids on the edge | website=Buffalo News | date=June 5, 2012 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/truth-ties-cox-to-kids-on-the-edge/article_28bfddd8-de99-595f-8b56-8513e51470d2.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}} At the age of 15, he was adopted by the coach of his local Boys Club team.
He took up the position of point guard after idolizing Kenny Anderson and Mark Macon, wearing the jersey number #12 in tribute to both players.{{cite web | title=Maurice "Modie" Cox Discusses Playing In Niagara Falls LaSalle Basketball Dynasty | website=YouTube | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59zMWWNKeTA&feature=youtu.be | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Cox played for the varsity squad of La Salle Senior High School as a freshman, winning the 1988 New York State Class B championship. Following his junior year, he received honorable mention in the running for Nike High School All-American.{{cite web | title=Street & Smith's College Basketball Yearbook 1990/1991 : Street & Smith : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive | website=Internet Archive | date=March 25, 2023 | url=https://archive.org/details/street-smiths-college-basketball-yearbook-1990-91-duke-ga-tech-c/page/76/mode/2up?q=%22maurice+cox%22+%22niagara+falls%22 | access-date=February 2, 2024}} He was honored as Buffalo News Player of the Year following his senior season, where he averaged 16.7 points per game and set school records for both steals and assists.{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=TOP FIVE PERFORM AS EXPECTED LASALLE'S COX IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR | website=Buffalo News | date=April 20, 1991 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/top-five-perform-as-expected-lasalles-cox-is-player-of-the-year/article_d7d5f291-98ed-507b-bd62-d079a20c535e.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=COX MAY SERVE AS PIONEER OF UB'S DIVISION I FUTURE | website=Buffalo News | date=May 7, 1991 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/cox-may-serve-as-pioneer-of-ubs-division-i-future/article_8a66e54b-d80c-5416-a81f-e97ee6224d62.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
He competed for the Western Region Open team in the 1991 Empire State Games, capturing a gold medal.{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=EMPIRE STATE GAMES PREPARE TO MAKE INAUGURAL APPEARANCE IN ALBANY AREA | website=Buffalo News | date=July 21, 1991 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/empire-state-games-prepare-to-make-inaugural-appearance-in-albany-area/article_b0987126-345a-56ff-bae9-5ba13f1c8fb7.html | access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{cite web | title=Empire State Games | website=empirestategames.org | date=October 31, 2004 | url=http://www.empirestategames.org/teamchamps.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209094502/http://www.empirestategames.org/teamchamps.html | archive-date=December 9, 2004 | url-status=unfit | access-date=February 3, 2024}}
College career
After being recruited by University at Buffalo as the centerpiece of their new Division I program, Cox was ruled academically ineligible under Proposition 48 and could not play his freshman season for the Buffalo Bulls.{{cite web | last=Gaughan | first=Mark | title=COX WILL SIT OUT FRESHMAN SEASON AT UB; 1991 NEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS PROP 48 CASUALTY | website=Buffalo News | date=August 8, 1991 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/cox-will-sit-out-freshman-season-at-ub-1991-news-player-of-the-year-is/article_265e27bc-4140-5b22-bcf0-31cbc752792d.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
He was named team captain for his junior and senior seasons.{{cite web | last=Bronstein | first=Jonah | title=BASKETBALL: Modie's message | website=Niagara Gazette | date=June 4, 2007 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/basketball-modies-message/article_3ba7ba89-a978-5bad-86d5-b4069428af54.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}} Cox led the team in scoring during his junior season, averaging 12.6 points per game.{{cite book | last=Bradley | first=B. | title=ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game | publisher=Ballantine Books | year=2009 | isbn=978-0-345-51392-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g42TyP-V5C8C&pg=PA105 | access-date=February 2, 2024 | page=105}} In his senior season, Cox led the Mid-Continent Conference in assists and was named to the All-Conference Team.{{cite web | title=Modie Cox College Stats | website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com | date=March 30, 1991 | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/modie-cox-1.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Cox attempted to have his fourth year of eligibility restored by the NCAA for the 1995–96 season, but his request was denied.{{cite web | title=UB'S COX CONTINUES TO SEEK ELIGIBILITY | website=Buffalo News | date=June 16, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ubs-cox-continues-to-seek-eligibility/article_bf94e923-09b3-5da4-ba70-fddafe504202.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}} He tried out for the school's football team as a wide receiver in August 1995, but was cut.{{cite web | last=Harrington | first=Mike | title=COX, BANKS TRYING HANDS ON GRIDIRON | website=Buffalo News | date=August 11, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/cox-banks-trying-hands-on-gridiron/article_bde7587d-ac5e-5218-95b2-deecad8b110e.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
He played for the Converse All-Stars in November 1995, an alumni team who defeated the 1995–96 St. Bonaventure Bonnies and 1995–96 Buffalo Bulls squads in exhibition play.{{cite web | title=FREDONIA REACHES REGIONAL SOCCER FINAL | website=Buffalo News | date=November 5, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/fredonia-reaches-regional-soccer-final/article_1ba11155-332e-595c-9a11-d7d5f198a7a8.html | access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{cite web | title=November 16, 1995-Vol27n12: SportsView | website=University at Buffalo | date=November 16, 1995 | url=https://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/archive/vol27/vol27n12/s1.html | access-date=February 3, 2024}}
In September 1996, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology.{{cite web | last=Anzalone | first=Charles | title=ARREST OF FORMER UB STAR STUNS FAMILY, COACHES | website=Buffalo News | date=November 5, 1996 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/arrest-of-former-ub-star-stuns-family-coaches/article_c7dcddaf-835a-52dc-b699-0af52a39e16d.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Professional career
The Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association signed Cox in 1996, although he never played for the team.{{cite web | author=Mark woods | title=Fact File: Modie Cox, Milton Keynes Lions | website=BRITBALL Media / Mark Woods | url=https://www.britball.com/profiles/modie_cox.htm | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
He started his professional career with the Pietermaritzburg Tuskers of the Premier Basketball League, averaging 17.3 points per game during their 1998–99 season.{{cite web | title=Final stats | website=basketball.co.za | date=February 9, 1999 | url=http://www.basketball.co.za/Stats_tuskers_firstround.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209044518/http://www.basketball.co.za/Stats_tuskers_firstround.htm | archive-date=February 9, 1999 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
File:Modie Cox diving for the ball during the inaugural Buffalo Rapids game in November 2005.jpg game, 2005]]
Cox played for the Milton Keynes Lions of the British Basketball League, averaging 3.16 steals per game during their 1999–00 season.{{cite web | title=Milton Keynes Lions | website=BRITBALL Media / Mark Woods | url=https://www.britball.com/2000/profiles/mklions.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web | title=The Official Site of the BBL | date=March 3, 2001 | url=http://www.bbl.org.uk/Stats/1999-00/Player/steals.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303150117/http://www.bbl.org.uk/Stats/1999-00/Player/steals.htm | archive-date=March 3, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 4, 2024}}
He attended off-season camps with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association in 2000 and 2001, but was cut from the roster.{{cite web | last=Rodriguez | first=Miguel | title=Cox and Winn happily reunited as new Rapids teammates Falls duo hope to help rekindle basketball fire in Western New York | website=Buffalo News | date=October 30, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/article_44e81801-5d49-53cb-9013-20862093897a.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Cox was signed to the Buffalo Rapids of the American Basketball Association in October 2005. He helped the team win its first playoff game in March 2006, contributing 12 assists in their 133–88 victory over the Boston Frenzy.{{cite web | title=ABA Buffalo Rapids advance to second round of playoffs | website=OurSports Central | date=March 13, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/aba-buffalo-rapids-advance-to-secod-round-of-playoffs/n-3279466 | access-date=February 5, 2024}} When the franchise was forced to rebrand in May 2006 following an ownership change, Cox came up with the Buffalo Silverbacks moniker that they used going forward.{{cite web | last=Watson | first=Stephen T. | title='Silverbacks' called racially insensitive | website=Buffalo News | date=August 5, 2006 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/silverbacks-called-racially-insensitive/article_325cb706-b12e-5fd8-8e9d-649c52148263.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}
After Tim Winn left the Buffalo Silverbacks in August 2006, Cox took over running the team's Do Your Best, Never Quit youth clinics.{{cite web | title=PEZZIMENTI: Winn's clinic absence a mystery | website=Olean Times Herald | date=July 28, 2006 | url=https://www.oleantimesherald.com/archives/pezzimenti-winn-s-clinic-absence-a-mystery/article_89d7db27-8250-519d-94d0-d167870ff94e.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}} In recognition of his work, Cox was honored with the inaugural American Basketball Association Community Service Award in January 2007.{{cite web | title=Silverbacks Cox and Sims awarded ABA honors | website=OurSports Central | date=January 15, 2007 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/silverbacks-cox-and-sims-awarded-aba-honors/n-3416046 | access-date=December 27, 2023}}
Coaching career
While pursuing his master's degree in urban planning, Cox served as graduate assistant under Tim Cohane for the 1997–98 Buffalo Bulls season.{{cite web | title=The Challenger 26 November 1997 | website=The NYS Historic Newspapers | date=November 26, 1997 | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=chal19971126-01.1.10&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22modie+cox%22--------- | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Cox served as assistant coach for Niagara Catholic High School from 2000 to 2002 under Pat Monti.{{cite web | title=Stories from Niagara Falls coaching legend Pat Monti | website=The Big Words Blog Site | date=October 11, 2018 | url=https://bigwordsarepowerful.com/2018/10/stories-from-my-interview-with-niagara-falls-coaching-legend-pat-monti-from-the-lasalle-basketball-dynasty/ | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
While still active as a player, Cox also served as assistant coach for the Buffalo Rapids under Richard Jacob, and later for the Buffalo Silverbacks under Trevor Ruffin.{{cite web | last=Bronstein | first=Jonah | title=Cox returns to Silverbacks adopted home | website=Niagara Gazette | date=August 15, 2006 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/cox-returns-to-silverbacks-adopted-home/article_207056ec-5b20-5335-87cb-523d426cb827.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
In 2008, Cox was hired as personal trainer and mentor for Byron Brown III, the teenage son of Mayor Byron Brown II.{{cite web | last=Mansfield | first=Aaron | title=Byron Brown Jr. moves beyond 'the incident' in his past | website=Buffalo News | date=August 16, 2014 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/byron-brown-jr-moves-beyond-the-incident-in-his-past/article_f2116ffe-728a-5d61-96d9-9f58886bc88f.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}} Brown III went on to play Division I basketball for Binghamton University.{{cite web | title=Men's Basketball | website=Binghamton University Athletics | date=October 24, 2023 | url=https://bubearcats.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/byron-brown/155 | access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Wilmes | first=John | title=Byron Brown Player Profile, Binghamton | website=RealGM | date=February 2, 2024 | url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Byron-Brown/Summary/30983 | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
As assistant coach under Ryan Gallo, Cox helped lead St. Mary's High School to the 2022 CHSAA Class B championship.{{cite web | last=Kraus | first=Joe | title=Niagara Falls legend Modie Cox returns to join ex-LaSalle teammate Carlos Bradberry's staff | website=Niagara Gazette | date=November 24, 2023 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/niagara-falls-legend-modie-cox-returns-to-join-ex-lasalle-teammate-carlos-bradberry-s-staff/article_2bd57ba8-8998-11ee-a44e-2756f53c6f8b.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
He has served as assistant coach for Niagara Falls High School under Carlos Bradberry since 2023.
Personal life
{{quote box|width=20em|align=right|I’ve got something now that I’m as passionate about as basketball. Other than my son, I’ve never had anything like that.|source= —Modie Cox, on motivational speaking}}
Cox was arrested in November 1996 for cocaine possession, serving eight months in jail for two misdemeanor charges.{{cite web | last=Anzalone | first=Charles | title=FORMER UB BASKETBALL STAR ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE | website=Buffalo News | date=November 3, 1996 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/former-ub-basketball-star-arrested-on-drug-charge/article_2a51c6fd-cc4a-5daa-a2f6-4c288014e2cf.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Gryta | first=Matt | title=EX-BASKETBALL STAR MAKES PLEA DEAL IN DRUG CASE | website=Buffalo News | date=March 29, 1997 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ex-basketball-star-makes-plea-deal-in-drug-case/article_8826d838-130e-5a97-ab29-48817c110ebc.html | access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Dale | title=EX-BASKETBALL STAR RELEASED FROM JAIL FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR | website=Buffalo News | date=July 18, 1997 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ex-basketball-star-released-from-jail-for-good-behavior/article_9e70f6d4-9d41-513a-84af-e4c13906f3bd.html | access-date=February 5, 2024}}
He son Kaleb was born in 2002 and is a graduate of Canisius High School.{{cite web | title=Kaleb Cox-Harris' Canisius High School Career Home | website=MaxPreps.com | date=December 6, 2017 | url=https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/canisius/athletes/kaleb-cox-harris/?careerid=2mpi3kk76m700 | access-date=February 3, 2024}}
After the Buffalo Silverbacks folded in 2007, Cox continued their youth outreach program and rebranded it as Winning Because I Tried. He has given over 350 motivational speeches to children through the program. John Wallace became the program's vice president in 2010, and has joined Cox on select speaking engagements.{{cite web | last=Mariani | first=John | title=Former SU star John Wallace continues speaking tour at Syracuse high schools | website=syracuse | date=March 18, 2010 | url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2010/03/former_su_star_john_wallace_co.html | access-date=February 3, 2024}}
From 2013 to 2016, Cox served as executive director of the Buffalo Police Athletic League.{{cite web | title=Our Staff – Winning Because I Tried | website=Winning Because I Tried – Youth Mentoring Program | date=May 7, 2020 | url=http://winningbecauseitried.com/our-staff/ | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
Cox serves on the board of directors for Junior Jerry Jam, a nonprofit organization dedicated to staging live musical performances that benefit charitable causes.{{cite web | title=Junior Jerry Jam RAISES FUNDS FOR MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND AWARENESS FOR COLON CANCER SCREENING IN BLACK COMMUNITIES | website=WNYmedia Network | date=August 22, 2023 | url=https://wnymedia.net/2023/08/22/junior-jerry-jam-raises-funds-for-multi-instrumentalist-and-awareness-for-colon-cancer-screening-in-black-communities/ | access-date=February 2, 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Modie Cox}}
- [http://winningbecauseitried.com/ Official website]
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/modie-cox-1.html Career statistics] from Sports Reference
{{Portal bar|Basketball||New York (state)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cox, Modie}}
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:American motivational speakers
Category:Basketball players from New York (state)
Category:Buffalo Bulls men's basketball coaches
Category:Buffalo Bulls men's basketball players
Category:Buffalo Sharks players
Category:Connecticut Pride players
Category:London Lions (basketball) players