L.C. Bird girls’ basketball standout and McDonald’s All-American Taja Cole’s started her journey in Chuck Tester Gymnasium. Now, she’s headed overseas.
The point guard has signed a professional contract to play for Unicaja in Malaga, Spain.
“The team has great facilities, the city (of Malaga) is a nice place,” said Cole. “I’m fortunate to be able to go because a lot of countries don’t want to bring in Americans due to COVID.”
Fortunately for Cole, COVID-19 only affected a small portion of her overall journey. This summer, she was in contact with WNBA teams, but didn’t get drafted. The lockdown cancelled the NCAA Tournament and other combined-related events.
Cole was a star from the start at L.C. Bird, bursting onto the scene as a freshman who was not only skilled, but also a developing team leader.
During her senior season, she was a Naismith, WBCA and McDonald’s All-American. She won MVP of the Jordan Brand All-American game and Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015. Cole scored 1,520 points (3rd in Bird history), dished out 553 assists (2nd), stole the ball 308 times (3rd), and, remarkably, tallied 534 rebounds (14th).
That sparked a recruiting frenzy for the 5-8 standout, with most top-flight schools in the mix. Cole committed to Louisville, at the time a school fresh off national championships in both men’s and women’s basketball.
As a reserve, she made an early impact, scoring 11 points against Dayton and again reaching double-digits against Tennessee-Martin. Although she was getting significant minutes, something just wasn’t right.
“I liked Louisville and my teammates, but it turned out it just wasn’t the best fit for me,” Cole said.
Once Cole entered the NCAA transfer portal, it was a feeding frenzy all over again. Her next landing site was Athens, Ga., where she became a Bulldog.
“I knew I wanted to go to Georgia because of the history the program had,” Cole said. “I wanted help get them back to the NCAA tournament and be a part of that history.”
Cole found her stride at Georgia and took her place as one of the best college point guards in the nation.
Over her two years with the program, the team won 44 games, and the Lady Bulldogs made it to the NCAA tournament in 2018. That year, Cole passed out 135 assists and reached double figures in scoring a dozen times.
In the following season, Cole’s redshirt junior year, she led the SEC in total assists with 202, good for sixth in the nation. A picture of consistency, Cole had five or more assists in 23 of her 29 games. She scored a career-high 22 points against UCLA and reached double figures in 17 contests.
Armed with a degree in communication studies, Cole had a year of eligibility left. With dreams of going pro, and a hunger for her second passion – fashion and design – Cole was on the search for yet another home.
“Recruiting this time was different, because I want a specific program that would help further my career,” Cole explained. “And if you can play another year of basketball and work towards a masters, I had to do it.”
Cole landed at a school that wasn’t in her original plans. Major schools came calling again. Michigan and Minnesota led the charge with top-tier fashion programs. They attracted Cole’s attention, but it was Virginia Tech that won out with its leadership studies program.
“That was my home state, and they were the first school to ‘offer’ me in the 7th grade,” Cole said. “The Hokies had everything I was looking for. The process was about me and my goals beyond basketball; I wasn’t just school-hopping. Tech was a no-brainer.”
A connection made with VT coach Kenny Brooks helped to seal the deal, too. Cole formed a relationship with Brooks starting in high school at popular camps held at James Madison.
“It was easy for me to perform for him and the team,” said Cole.
That it was. Cole turned in another banner performance, this time, leading the ACC in assists and helping Virginia Tech to 21 wins and a presumptive NCAA tournament appearance, as the Hokies ranked 4th in the ACC.
That’s when COVID-19 hit.
The NCAA tournament was canceled, and the face of WNBA camps and tryouts was altered. Circumstance was perhaps part of the reason that Cole’s name wasn’t called on WNBA Draft night.
“The WNBA is a dream of mine. I got a couple calls from [the]Connecticut [Sun}, Seattle Storm, and Atlanta Dream,” Cole said. “I didn’t hang my head, I proved [that]I should be in the conversation of being one of the best in the country. If the WNBA calls, I’m answering.”
There are positives to playing in Spain. For one thing, the salaries paid to female basketball players are higher in Europe. Often, WNBA players will play two seasons, one in the United States and one overseas, to supplement income. Also, Cole’s lifelong love for fashion and design will be allowed to grow in one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Cole has designed and maintained her own brand, Team Cole (www.teamcole5.com), since high school. The website shows career highlights to date and offers athletic clothing adorned with her own logo. She hopes to grow that brand in addition to her basketball brand.
“I am so excited to get to Spain,” Cole said. “I’m excited to learn Spanish, see the fashion, and network,” she continued. “I’ve already been in communication with some businesses over there. The fan base out there is crazy; I’m ready to go.”
Cole is scheduled to leave for Spain Sept. 1. Her season will start Oct. 3.
“[Taja’s going pro] is well deserved,” said L.C. Bird coach Chevette Waller. “She’s earned it, and she’s talented. I do know one thing for sure, she’s going to outwork whoever needs to be outworked to have success.”
