THE BEST. After reading the accomplishments of this Hector, Ark. small-town farm boy, one would likely agree Brandon Cole was one of the best shooters, if not the best, to ever play college basketball. When Brandon Cole started in his first game as a freshman, no one imagined the kind of career that was being inaugurated. Cole hit a three-point basket in that game and in the next 119 games. His streak of 120 consecutive games with a three-point basket is the longest in college basketball history. Just over a month after his streak ended, his record-breaking 517th triple put him at the top of the list as the best three-point shooter in collegiate basketball history. By the time his career ended, Cole had an astonishing 527 career three-point field goals.

CHAMPION. Cole's success in competition propelled him and the Golden Eagles into the national spotlight. In 2005, he led the Golden Eagles on a magical championship run through the NAIA Division I National Championships. He scored 25 points in the championship game, a performance which clinched the tournament's Most Valuable Player honors. He also became the first men's basketball student-athlete to be named to the NAIA All-America first team. He followed his 2004-05 performance with another program record-shattering first-team nomination as a senior; this time he was named the NAIA Division I Player of the Year. He scored a Sooner Athletic Conference and program record 2,390 points during his career, but Cole deflected much of the honor and praise towards his teammates, especially his four-year backcourt teammate, Alex Terry. Most specifically, Cole credits his parents, Wayne and Joanne, for instilling his work ethic and desire to be the best while also giving glory to his Heavenly Father, who he credits with giving him the inner strength to overcome any circumstance. Cole often pointed to Phil. 4:13, "All things are possible through Christ, who strengthens me."

CHARACTER. A very devout Christian, this modern-day David, who at only 6-foot-0 conquered all giants in his path while leading John Brown University to a National Championship and 86 career victories. Cole's sharpshooting abilities placed him in the national record books, but his conduct on and off the court brought him acclaim of a different sort. In June 2006, in the company of 12 other professional, college and high school athletes, he was awarded the NAIA's Dr. Leroy Walker Award, the NAIA's annual National Sportsmanship Award, as part of the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) annual awards show, hosted by legendary NBC Sports broadcaster, Bob Costas.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. His accomplishments include hitting five or more triples in a single game 45 times in his career. He scored double figures in 113 games, 20-plus points in a game 51 times, and 30-plus points in a single game six times. Cole's command of the JBU, NAIA and college basketball record books speaks for itself.

EFFORT TO WIN. Much like former JBU All-Americans, Cole excelled on both ends of the court, in the classroom and in all areas of life. One of the fiercest competitors to ever wear the Blue and Gold, Brandon Cole time and again demonstrated the ability to amaze everyone lucky enough to have watched him play.