Wytheville’s Wilder In NCAA Tournament

BY TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier

The life of a walk-on can be precarious. Hard work is a must, playing time can be scarce and the future is never guaranteed.

Cole Wilder learned that lesson two years ago. After earning a spot on the Radford University roster as a walk-on and playing in 22 games as a freshman, his future was clouded with uncertainty.

Byron Samuels, the coach who had recruited him, resigned and was replaced as head coach by Brad Greenberg. What would that mean for Wilder’s future?

“I was wondering if I would still be on the team,” Wilder said. “But Coach Greenberg came in and told me the first day he got the job that he’d been following me and liked what I was doing. I really respect him for giving me the chance.”

Wilder eventually worked his way up to a scholarship for the current semester and the former George Wythe High School star will be suited up on Thursday afternoon when Radford (21-11) faces North Carolina (28-4) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

“This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” Wilder said. “It’s amazing.”

Wilder, who was hampered by a knee injury early in the season, has appeared in 13 games for the Highlanders and has scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The 6-foot-1 junior guard appeared in all three of Radford’s wins in the Big South Conference tournament.

“It’s been amazing and that’s why we came here to begin with,” Wilder said. “It’s really special for us. I went to George Wythe and we were a pretty successful team, so I was used to winning. We had two rough years and struggled to get past the first round of the conference tournament. We had two years left and were wondering if this was going to happen.”

It’s been an interesting ride for Radford. The Highlanders began the season 3-8 and without a home. Renovations to the Dedmon Center back in the early part of the season meant Radford played its first few home games at cramped Peters Hall.

“It was pretty awkward,” Wilder said. “Peters Hall holds about 500 people. We would play at Peters and then go off and play at Wake Forest and West Virginia.”

However, Radford ended the season strong. Part of the resurgence has been due to Greenberg, in his second year as coach. He’s the brother of Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg.

“He’s a great guy, and he gives you everything he has,” Wilder said. “That really helps a team when you have a coach you look up to and respect. He’s a great coach.”

Greenberg also likes what Wilder is doing. In Radford’s media guide, the coach said this about Wilder: “Cole is a very good shooter with three-point range. He’s the consummate team player, a determined defender and one of the most unselfish players I have ever coached.”

On Thursday, Wilder will experience the ultimate moment of his basketball career.

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