It's Official: Norris Cole back in the NBA, signs with Thunder;

Cole checking out Dunbar -  Trotwood game recently
 (Courtesy of Dayton HS Sports)

Norris Cole name has been thrown around a lot in the Ohio area, especially in the Cleveland and Dayton area as a guy who should be on a NBA roster.

Right now.

In the fall Cole shocked the hoop world when he decided to take a deal to go over in China. He averaged over 10 points and 4 assists a game in 23 starts and 46 games played with the Pelicans last season.
 
  While most thought this would doom his career, it merely was a business decision that would benefit the Cole brand tenfold.

  Cole knew that he wasn't going to get the contract he wanted, so he took a risk, and took the offer across the water and snatched up a cool 5 million, all the while establishing his clothing brand, and staying on the NBA Radar.

 While most thought he'd end up in the Land after it was clear the Cavaliers were in search of the PG, it was Deron Williams who grabbed that spot.

 So without hesitation, the Oklahoma City Thunder signed the 2-time NBA Champion for the rest of the season.

While his salary will be pro-rated, he will now get a chance to play alongside a guy who is the frontrunner for MVP In Russell Westbrook.

And don't be surprised that by playoff time Cole is playing alongside the Future MVP when it comes to crunch time.

 Cole wit fit seamlessly with the team, being the ultimate glue guy, & dont be suprised as you could see a blossoming Cole come into his own.
 

There was a Cole sighting at the Dunbar - Trotwood match-up a while back, but nothing was said about the options of coming back to the NBA.

Cole will join fellow Dayton Alum and Trotwood legend Chris Wright as local guys on the Oklahoma City roster.

Star Boxer Chris Pearson fights for Title on Showtime Tonight; Is it time for the 'Young King" to Shine?

 Chris "Young King" Pearson has been patiently waiting for his time to shine.
Waiting for the opportunity to become a Champion in his professional career.

Tale of the Tape; Who wins Middleweight Championship? 

A couple years ago, we had Pearson on the SportsEffectLive show, and he had just ran his record to 15-0 with a defeat of  a opponent.

Pearson was riding high, a hot commodity (maybe the hottest)  in the Money Mayweather Camp and looked like he was ready for Primetime.

Floyd Mayweather had him in high regards, and felt like his time was coming as well.

Then a little dose of Boxing & reality hit the Young King.

Pearson was defeated on Spike TV for the first time in his pro career.

It hit Pearson and his camp hard.

Pearson with Team USA

A father to a beautiful daughter, Pearson stayed positive;
But internally? It was killing him. He was raging inside.

He had never been unprepared or not up to standards in a fight.

He knew he had some issues before that fight. Knew he had been sick all week before the fight.
But Pearson is not that type of man that makes excuses.

It was obvious that Pearson didn't have the juice in that fight, but no matter what, he stood tall in the loss, took all the questions that ensued and handled them with class and honor.

He was now defeated, for the first time in his pro career.

He knew that he wasn't 100 percent going into the fight he lost.
There were other factors that also effected him negatively in his training time, and from Pearsons' perspective, he felt like he wasn't focused the way he needed to be.

Then the questions started swirling around.
Would Money Mayweather let him go? Would he ever get another shot?  Did he take it for granted?

No matter what, Pearson,his camp, and his family kept the faith and went back to the drawing board.

Fast forward, 2 years later, and Pearson, is much more focused, hungry, and determined more than ever to grab that elusive championship. He knows that now is his time.

He went off the grid to focus and to get the training necessary to become a champion.
Stayed with Mayweather Camp and fine tuned his skills to get to this point.

Now is his time.

Pearson will face a tough opponent in ATL's own young tiger in Justin DeLoach, who has had a great pro career in his own right.  Not to mention his rising confidence along with his camp.

DeLoach is 16-1 with 8 KO's, is 5'11 and weighs in at 151.8.
Pearson is 17-1 with 11 KO's  is 5'10 and  weighs in at 152.8.

No matter what, SHOWTIME network will be launching its "New Era" of Boxing tonight  with 2 boxers who will be ready for the moment.
And a new Middleweight Champion will be crowned tonight. Starting at 10pm EST.

No pressure the Young King from the mean streets of Dayton, Ohio (Trotwood) can't handle. 

Minor setback for a major comeback.