PROVIDENCE — In the summer of 2023, Purdue men’s basketball coach Matt Painter traveled to Las Vegas to watch four-star recruit Travis Perry compete in the Battle of the Brands tournament.
As the action unfolded, a less-heralded player unexpectedly caught his eye: Middlesex Magic star C.J. Cox.
Cox, a dynamic 6-foot-3-inch combo guard from Lexington, Mass., took over and was the best player on the floor. Afterward, when his teammates and coaches mobbed him, Painter became even more intrigued.
He learned that the rising senior had offers from predominantly Ivy League schools, yet none from high majors. Painter’s mind started to race, as he wondered if he had found a hidden gem on the last day of competition.
“All the things that you value as a coach, in terms of what leads to winning, he epitomized,’’ Painter said.
Painter offered Cox a scholarship in October, and he committed that day. Cox emerged as a starter in early January and is averaging 5.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game as a reliable freshman for the fourth-seeded Boilermakers (22-11).
Purdue is set to face No. 13 High Point (29-5) in the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 12:40 p.m. (truTV), at Amica Mutual Pavilion. It’s a homecoming for Cox, who took a moment Wednesday morning to reflect on how far he’s come.
“It’s amazing,’’ Cox said. “I always dreamed about playing in March Madness. Thankfully, I’m able to play near home, so family and friends are able to come watch me. I’m very grateful for that.’’
Cox got his start at the Lexington Recreation Department, then latched onto the Magic in fourth grade. He trained with his father, Cecil Cox, a Harvard football Hall of Famer, who preached the importance of a well-rounded game from a young age.
Cox began his high school career at Lexington and considered transferring to Belmont Hill after his sophomore year. Instead, after weighing his options with his father and his mother, Lisa George-Cox, he elected to remain at Lexington for a final run.
Cox is always one to see something through, and he knew he had unfinished business with the Minutemen.
George-Cox, a beloved track star, educator, and coach, died in March 2021 after a 1½-year battle with sarcoma. Cox is forever grateful for her wisdom, love, and unwavering support.
“Without her, I wouldn’t be in this situation,’’ Cox said. “She was a big influence in my life. I’m just making sure to make her proud.’’
With George-Cox in mind, Cox helped steer Lexington to a league title as a junior before transferring to Milton Academy and reclassifying. Magic coach Michael Crotty credited Cox for avoiding the stumble many kids understandably have when they endure something of such magnitude.
Cox led the Mustangs to Independent School League and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council championships, then the Magic to a second consecutive AAU Under Armour championship in the summer of 2023.
Cox had established himself as one of the state’s premier players, and received offers from smaller schools, yet was still a relative unknown nationally.
“You’re just wondering at that point, the why,’’ Painter said. “Trust your eyes, trust everything, but why aren’t other people recruiting him? He’s been out there.’’
Milton Academy coach Lamar Reddicks gave Painter his passwords to watch film and told him to pick any game. He wouldn’t be disappointed, Reddicks insisted.
Painter loved Cox’s competitive spirit, defensive prowess, and academic excellence, and he offered him a scholarship after his official visit. Cox called Painter that same day when he returned home and committed.
While some believed Cox was in over his head by choosing Purdue, Reddicks never thought so. Reddicks saw Cox rise to the occasion over and over again at Milton Academy. The bigger the game, the more he would leave his imprint.
“I would never bet against C.J. Cox,’’ Reddicks said. “I’ll put it that way. He’s one of those guys that if I have to go to battle, I want that guy on my team. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing. We could be playing chess, checkers, basketball. I want him on my team.’’
Reddicks said he’s seen opposing point guards give up mid-game when Cox ruins their life with his ball pressure and physicality.
Crotty called Cox the “model of consistency’’ and said his relentless and level-headed mind-set has a ripple effect on any team.
“He’s really genuinely one of the most humble people I’ve been around,’’ Crotty said. “He has an internal confidence, but he is the antithesis of cocky. He’s just, ‘Hey, let’s go work. Let’s go do it. Doesn’t matter who’s in front of me.’ ’’
After interning with HYM Investment Group in Boston last summer, Cox made a splash early at Purdue. Painter quickly realized he couldn’t keep him off the floor.
His ability to guard the other team’s point guard and proclivity for hitting timely shots meshed perfectly with Purdue’s veteran stars.
“He sets the tone defensively every game,’’ fellow Purdue freshman Gicarri Harris said. “He always plays hard.’’
Cox erupted for 16 points against Auburn and 23 points against Nebraska, quickly gaining confidence with each start.
After watching Purdue make the national championship game a season ago, Cox is overjoyed to take part in what he hopes will be another deep run this March. His phone blew up when the Boilermakers learned they would be playing in Providence, just an hour from his hometown.
Cox, mild mannered and humble, took the floor for practice with a noticeable giddiness Wednesday morning. Light on his feet, and burying a steady stream of jumpers, he couldn’t help but grin and savor the moment.
With the band playing in the background, the March Madness logo on the floor, and the ball in his hands, it felt like everything had come full circle.
The underdog from Lexington was going dancing.
“If you follow your dreams and you work hard to do what you want to do, you’ll end up in good situations,’’ Cox said. “I always believed I could end up in this situation and playing at this high level. I want to be a role model for younger kids in the community.’’
Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com.