Evalyse Cole Boosts Rockets Through her Versatility

TOLEDO, Ohio – Whether it's interior defense, attacking the boards, finding a cutting teammate, or knocking down a big shot from outside, junior forward Evalyse Cole contributes like a Swiss Army knife.

Cole moved into the starting lineup last season, averaging 7.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, which included two double-doubles. She shot 46.2% from the field and 76.2% from the free throw line. Cole was also a force defensively, with a team-leading 17 blocks to go with 18 steals.

"To me, versatility is being able to do whatever the coach asks you to do, and then being able to give it my all when I'm on the court and they ask me to do something," said Cole, a native of Easton, Pa.

For Head Coach Ginny Boggess, Cole's versatility is what she saw while recruiting her out of high school, then as the head coach at Monmouth. After Cole came to Toledo following Boggess' hiring, her play on the court and that vision has remained in lockstep.

You've got a 6-2, versatile, high IQ, competitive young lady that has, in my opinion, barely scratched the surface of her potential," said Boggess. "Despite battling some injuries and having to miss some games her first two years, she's really taken a huge leap in her production, her efficiency, her fitness, her strength and her mental toughness."

Cole's leaps in fitness and strength have allowed her to be more physical and quicker on the defensive end. She has been able to prevent opponents from getting easy buckets inside, a big focus of hers last season and going into this one.

She has also been able to stay out of foul trouble most nights, committing just 41 fouls in 27 games last season.

"I've definitely gotten quicker on my feet and I've become more physical," said Cole. "I don't get pushed around as much. I would also say it's a discipline thing, such as knowing the type of ref you have and when they're going to call a foul. So, it's about being disciplined and knowing not to foul because the best ability is availability. And if you have two or three fouls, you're not in the game, you're on the bench."

Cole's leaps in both skill and physical development have helped the Rockets become one of the top defensive units with Boggess as head coach. Toledo was third in the MAC in scoring defense last season (63.3 points game) and had the second-best mark in conference play (60.7 points).

Associate Head Coach Geoff Lanier, who works with the post players and serves as the program's defensive coordinator, sees how Cole's versatility and team-first mentality helps her anchor the defense from any spot on the floor, and how it helps Toledo adjust in-game to its opponents.

"If it means she's got to guard the point guard or the center, her versatility to play multiple positions and having the mindset that winning is the most important thing fits right into what Coach Ginny wants to do," said Lanier. "Length, athleticism and versatility is what we need, and that helps us be better and allows us to be more flexible on what kind of defense we play."

Lanier also likened being able to play Cole like a chess piece, with her ability to play anywhere on the floor.

For Cole, she remains connected with her teammates on the floor, sometimes acting like a GPS on the defensive end. The Rockets' defensive connection helps it stay atop the MAC's defensive ranks, and Cole is in the middle of that.

I'd say being connective, competitive, and confident with one another is our style," said Cole. "Being connected, building the wall, not allowing teams to get to the middle. We're confident with one another and trust our teammates to have our backs."

The Rockets often build their energy on the defensive end, leading to transition opportunities and quality possessions heading back down the floor. Not only does the thrill of a defensive stop or a bucket provide energy, but the individual plays within each possession.

"You get a good screen-and-roll. You might not get the ball, but you still set that screen to get your teammate the bucket," said Cole. "And just having juice that builds up from play to play and just feeding off of it."

Cole heads into her junior season not only having to manage becoming one of the most versatile players in the MAC, but also as a campus leader and ambassador for Toledo Athletics. Cole is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is also a nursing major. She was a CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-MAC selection last year.

As a student-athlete with a rigorous schedule, Cole stays well-organized between practices and games, classes and leadership obligations. Her organization has become one of her top traits both on and off the floor.

"She's done a really good job of growing into herself from a balance standpoint - knowing what she needs for recovery, what she needs for downtime, how important her process is," said Boggess. "She plans her whole week out every week and gets extra shots with Coach Geoff and film sessions. She's extremely organized, and I think she would tell you she loves a good schedule."

For Cole's part, focusing on rest and recovery also allows her to keep focus on each part of her day, to focus on where she needs to excel both on and off the court.

On the floor, Cole's organization can't be quantified on the stat sheet, but still shows up in every possession.

"I don't know if she's going to lead us in rebounding or she's going to lead us in any statistical categories, but she's going to lead us in organization," said Lanier. "That's where her impact is going to be felt, because she keeps us organized."

Focusing on rest and recovery also allows Cole to keep focus on each part of her day, and to excel both on and off the court.

With Cole entering her junior year, Rocket fans can expect a 94-foot contributor in 2026-27. Boggess is excited about the potential for the Rockets' forward to contribute in a multitude of ways in this upcoming season.

"I consider her a very high-level rebounder," said Boggess. "She's an exceptional passer, and positionally in our system, that's extremely important. I'm excited for her leaps as a perimeter threat, a three-point shooter, and a downhill attacker this year. Every year in our system, you see players add to their game, and I think this year is a big bust-out year for Eva."

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Evalyse Cole

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