Cohen Doesn’t Back Down From a Challenge
12/16/2018 3:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Student Athlete, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Jordan Cohen has never backed down from a challenge. Having played on the same high school team as Aaron Holiday (currently of the Indiana Pacers), Cohen went up against a future NBA standout every day at practice.
For Cohen, it was about more than simply going against a skilled player. It was about mindset and mentality.
"Every day, Aaron wanted to prove that he was the best player in practice and I took that as a challenge," said Cohen. "Every day, we picked each other up full court. I was trying to do my best and keep him from scoring… and score on him. Honestly, that has made me who I am today on the basketball court."
Today on the court, Cohen is a junior captain for the Lehigh men's basketball team, a program that expects to compete for championships year after year.
"Jordan has never shied away from a challenge," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "There is an edge to Jordan and he is at his best when he believes in himself and is willing to push himself. You saw that in high school where daily, he was facing one of the nation's best guards, and could play a wonderful complementary role to make that team very successful. Then, when it was Jordan's turn, he had built himself through his preparation and knew he was ready and was confident. Late in his high school career [after Holiday graduated], Jordan really took the ball and carried his team in a major way."
Jordan grew a love for basketball by "taking the ball" from his two older brothers, who are twins. Cohen credits his parents, and brothers, for instilling values in him, values that are still evident in everything he does to this day.
"Growing up, I wanted to be just like my brothers," said Jordan. "They went from baseball to soccer to football to basketball, so I pretty much followed them. They finally stuck with basketball and that's what I've been playing ever since. I would go to all their practices and be dribbling a ball and shooting on the side."
Pretty soon, playing basketball for the love of the game turned into the thought of playing basketball beyond high school.
"Because I was playing AAU every weekend in middle school, traveling three hours each weekend with my dad to these tournaments, it became more serious," said Jordan.
Cohen was drawn to the opportunities at Lehigh, on and off the court.
"Academics are extremely important to me, and Lehigh was a good fit basketball-wise," said Cohen. "I thought I could learn a lot from Kahron Ross (who graduated as the Lehigh and Patriot League all-time leader in assists). I like the coaching staff, and wanted to get away from home and experience life out east because my brother did (playing at Wesleyan in Connecticut).
"Lehigh was a good fit."
The "fit" has been there from day one. As a freshman, Cohen averaged 5.4 points in 29 games, with three starts. In his first-career start, he posted 20 points and six assists in the home opener vs. defending Ivy League Champion Princeton, filling in for an injured Ross.
The Mountain Hawks wound up advancing to their second straight Patriot League Championship Game.
"I was doing well in high school then came out here and it was a whole different game – different athleticism and physicality," said Cohen. "When we got to the championship game, I thought 'we'll be back,' but I'm realizing that time flies and nothing is guaranteed. You can't take anything for granted."
Cohen is doing all he can to help the Mountain Hawks reach the title game again and this time, win it. A co-captain, along with senior Kyle Leufroy, one area Lehigh is focused on this season is not taking anything for granted. That means "bringing it" every day in practice, much like Cohen and Holiday "brought it" when facing each other at Campbell Hall.
Increased competition helps every individual improve, which raises the team's overall play.
"This year, we have more depth and more players in general, so it's a lot more competitive," said Cohen. "James Karnik and Nic Lynch are battling [at center]. We have a bunch of good guards, who are all fighting for minutes."
"With increased depth, it has given us an opportunity to play a number of different people and have them flourish in different roles," said Reed. "Our guys are competing against, and pushing each other. That internal competition has been really good for us."
These Mountain Hawks know that increased competition against each other is for the betterment of the team. No matter who starts and who comes off the bench, Lehigh men's basketball is one team with one goal and they're in it together.
"Kyle and I as captains haven't had to do much because everyone has been focused," said Cohen. "When practice comes, we're ready. If I see a little lull, I try to get on people urging to pick up the energy."
Energy is something that Cohen always seems to have, as an athlete and student. A Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM), he has taken advantage of Flight 45 (Lehigh Athletics' Leadership Academy) to grow as a person.
"When I came here on my visit, my dad was interested in the leadership academy. He thought it was very beneficial and something other schools didn't seem to have," said Cohen. "I have gotten involved with SAM and it's helped me tremendously. I wasn't the most vocal person and didn't like speaking in front of people as much, but SAM has helped me speak publically which in turn, helps with my team."
Cohen helps his team in so many ways, just by being himself and going about his daily life the right way. Last season, Cohen and classmate Pat Andree, were two of the Patriot League's five Academic All-League honorees.
"Academics comes first," said Cohen, a finance major. "Growing up, m-y parents taught me that it's a privilege to play basketball. If you finish your homework, you can play basketball.
"It's a very high accolade winning these academic awards, but that's why I'm here. I am here to get good grades first and foremost, and do well on the court.
No surprise, Cohen is also a student of the game, thanks in large part to his father.
"I spend a lot of hours watching film, which my dad has always helped with since he always filmed my games," said Jordan. "I would go back and watch what I did wrong, what I did right and what I could do better."
Something Jordan has consistently done right in his daily life is create a daily schedule, and follow through.
"I've realized that I'm very regimented," he said. "Not trying to toot my own horn, but I'm disciplined. If I tell myself I'm going to do something, I stick with it."
Sticking with basketball allowed Jordan the opportunity to be at a place like Lehigh, where he has flourished.
"As a program, we have always been included in the top three in the league every year that I've been here," said Cohen. "Lehigh men's basketball has a good name and we produce for the most part every year. We haven't gotten that championship in a while, but we're always near the top of the league."
Cohen and his teammates have their eyes on that championship, the ultimate prize, but they're also enjoying the process, appreciating one another and not taking a single day for granted.
From not backing down against Holiday in high school, to succeeding on the court at Lehigh and earning prestigious academic honors, Cohen's hard work in everything he does has paid – and will continue to pay – off.
"Jordan makes me very proud… proud as a coach and proud as somebody who's watching a young man grow and develop," said Reed. "He embodies so much of what Lehigh is about. He's excelling in the classroom, he's fully committed on the court and he has excellent character and represents not only himself, but also our basketball program extremely well in our campus community.
"When you have those types of qualities rolled up into one person who also happens to be a tremendously talented player, it's a joy to coach and fun to watch."
Jordan Cohen has never backed down from a challenge. Having played on the same high school team as Aaron Holiday (currently of the Indiana Pacers), Cohen went up against a future NBA standout every day at practice.
For Cohen, it was about more than simply going against a skilled player. It was about mindset and mentality.
"Every day, Aaron wanted to prove that he was the best player in practice and I took that as a challenge," said Cohen. "Every day, we picked each other up full court. I was trying to do my best and keep him from scoring… and score on him. Honestly, that has made me who I am today on the basketball court."
Today on the court, Cohen is a junior captain for the Lehigh men's basketball team, a program that expects to compete for championships year after year.
"Jordan has never shied away from a challenge," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "There is an edge to Jordan and he is at his best when he believes in himself and is willing to push himself. You saw that in high school where daily, he was facing one of the nation's best guards, and could play a wonderful complementary role to make that team very successful. Then, when it was Jordan's turn, he had built himself through his preparation and knew he was ready and was confident. Late in his high school career [after Holiday graduated], Jordan really took the ball and carried his team in a major way."
Jordan grew a love for basketball by "taking the ball" from his two older brothers, who are twins. Cohen credits his parents, and brothers, for instilling values in him, values that are still evident in everything he does to this day.
"Growing up, I wanted to be just like my brothers," said Jordan. "They went from baseball to soccer to football to basketball, so I pretty much followed them. They finally stuck with basketball and that's what I've been playing ever since. I would go to all their practices and be dribbling a ball and shooting on the side."
Pretty soon, playing basketball for the love of the game turned into the thought of playing basketball beyond high school.
"Because I was playing AAU every weekend in middle school, traveling three hours each weekend with my dad to these tournaments, it became more serious," said Jordan.
Cohen was drawn to the opportunities at Lehigh, on and off the court.
"Academics are extremely important to me, and Lehigh was a good fit basketball-wise," said Cohen. "I thought I could learn a lot from Kahron Ross (who graduated as the Lehigh and Patriot League all-time leader in assists). I like the coaching staff, and wanted to get away from home and experience life out east because my brother did (playing at Wesleyan in Connecticut).
"Lehigh was a good fit."
The "fit" has been there from day one. As a freshman, Cohen averaged 5.4 points in 29 games, with three starts. In his first-career start, he posted 20 points and six assists in the home opener vs. defending Ivy League Champion Princeton, filling in for an injured Ross.
The Mountain Hawks wound up advancing to their second straight Patriot League Championship Game.
"I was doing well in high school then came out here and it was a whole different game – different athleticism and physicality," said Cohen. "When we got to the championship game, I thought 'we'll be back,' but I'm realizing that time flies and nothing is guaranteed. You can't take anything for granted."
Cohen is doing all he can to help the Mountain Hawks reach the title game again and this time, win it. A co-captain, along with senior Kyle Leufroy, one area Lehigh is focused on this season is not taking anything for granted. That means "bringing it" every day in practice, much like Cohen and Holiday "brought it" when facing each other at Campbell Hall.
Increased competition helps every individual improve, which raises the team's overall play.
"This year, we have more depth and more players in general, so it's a lot more competitive," said Cohen. "James Karnik and Nic Lynch are battling [at center]. We have a bunch of good guards, who are all fighting for minutes."
"With increased depth, it has given us an opportunity to play a number of different people and have them flourish in different roles," said Reed. "Our guys are competing against, and pushing each other. That internal competition has been really good for us."
These Mountain Hawks know that increased competition against each other is for the betterment of the team. No matter who starts and who comes off the bench, Lehigh men's basketball is one team with one goal and they're in it together.
"Kyle and I as captains haven't had to do much because everyone has been focused," said Cohen. "When practice comes, we're ready. If I see a little lull, I try to get on people urging to pick up the energy."
Energy is something that Cohen always seems to have, as an athlete and student. A Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM), he has taken advantage of Flight 45 (Lehigh Athletics' Leadership Academy) to grow as a person.
"When I came here on my visit, my dad was interested in the leadership academy. He thought it was very beneficial and something other schools didn't seem to have," said Cohen. "I have gotten involved with SAM and it's helped me tremendously. I wasn't the most vocal person and didn't like speaking in front of people as much, but SAM has helped me speak publically which in turn, helps with my team."
Cohen helps his team in so many ways, just by being himself and going about his daily life the right way. Last season, Cohen and classmate Pat Andree, were two of the Patriot League's five Academic All-League honorees.
"Academics comes first," said Cohen, a finance major. "Growing up, m-y parents taught me that it's a privilege to play basketball. If you finish your homework, you can play basketball.
"It's a very high accolade winning these academic awards, but that's why I'm here. I am here to get good grades first and foremost, and do well on the court.
No surprise, Cohen is also a student of the game, thanks in large part to his father.
"I spend a lot of hours watching film, which my dad has always helped with since he always filmed my games," said Jordan. "I would go back and watch what I did wrong, what I did right and what I could do better."
Something Jordan has consistently done right in his daily life is create a daily schedule, and follow through.
"I've realized that I'm very regimented," he said. "Not trying to toot my own horn, but I'm disciplined. If I tell myself I'm going to do something, I stick with it."
Sticking with basketball allowed Jordan the opportunity to be at a place like Lehigh, where he has flourished.
"As a program, we have always been included in the top three in the league every year that I've been here," said Cohen. "Lehigh men's basketball has a good name and we produce for the most part every year. We haven't gotten that championship in a while, but we're always near the top of the league."
Cohen and his teammates have their eyes on that championship, the ultimate prize, but they're also enjoying the process, appreciating one another and not taking a single day for granted.
From not backing down against Holiday in high school, to succeeding on the court at Lehigh and earning prestigious academic honors, Cohen's hard work in everything he does has paid – and will continue to pay – off.
"Jordan makes me very proud… proud as a coach and proud as somebody who's watching a young man grow and develop," said Reed. "He embodies so much of what Lehigh is about. He's excelling in the classroom, he's fully committed on the court and he has excellent character and represents not only himself, but also our basketball program extremely well in our campus community.
"When you have those types of qualities rolled up into one person who also happens to be a tremendously talented player, it's a joy to coach and fun to watch."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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