McPherson headed to the Bay, commits to Tampa

McPherson headed to the Bay, commits to Tampa

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Orlando, FL – Cory McPherson did not bother to wait until next month before committing to a school.

The 6-foot point guard has decided to stay in-state committing to the University of Tampa. He picked the Florida school over Georgia Gwinnett and Rowan, with growing interest coming from North Georgia. While many basketball prospects fresh off their travel season wait to get more offers, McPherson liked what he was hearing from the Tampa staff.

”The coach, for sure, was my main reason for going,” McPherson said. “The amount of belief he (Coach Darner) had in me this whole summer was undeniable,”

It is easy to see how the Spartans staff would have enjoyed what they’ve seen in McPherson. He helped Sunshine Elite to a 53-3 record on the OTR Circuit the last three seasons. They finished this season 29-6 overall, including a 15-2 record during the OTR live periods. McPherson and his 17U teammates have left a legacy has been left behind for others coming through the Sunshine Elite program. The program was established in 2023.

This season for Sunshine Elite, McPherson averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 steals per game shot 88 FT 43 3-point

“I’m exited to see people are seeing his potential,” Sunshine Elite coach and founder John Elgani said. “In four yers, he missed only two or three practices in four years. Cory has set the standard on how future (Sunshine Elite) players should approach travel ball.”

The respect is mutual.

McPherson credited the Florida program for the life changing experienced the last two summers.

”I wouldn’t want any other (AAU) coach,” he said. “He pushed me to a place I would’ve never thought I could get. He believed in me through everything. I have so much love for John. It’s amazing how blessed I am to have met him.”

Elgani first noticed McPherson during the programs middle school tryout in 2023. There were only seven players at tryouts, Cor came off the bench as an eighth grader. McPherson is one of two players who have remained, despite a number of suitors coming after him to switch programs. Elgani had a plan for him and the program.

”We worked,” Elgani said. “It’s about being in the right rooms. We go by his pulse. He is basically our leader.”

Being a leader is a role McPherson has grown into the last few years. The First Academy product was given the charge of being a better leader from head coach Tarrik Mabon.

”He has learned to be a great leader,” Mabon said. “He is a low maintenance kid, who will do whatever it is to win.”

Elgani and Mabon have both said McPherson can affect the game on both ends of the court. He is a 94-foot defender who is disruptive on the defensive end because of a 6-foot-5 wing span. They both also know Tampa is getting a player committed to getting better.

“Tampa is getting a winner,” McPherson said. “Whatever the coach needs me to do I’m going to do it 100%.”