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Gonzaga Basketball

Florida State forward Phil Cofer emerges as key player for Seminoles

Florida State guard Braian Angola, left, and forward Phil Cofer, line up for defense as teammates run the Gonzaga offense during practice, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Florida State guard Braian Angola, left, and forward Phil Cofer, line up for defense as teammates run the Gonzaga offense during practice, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Senior forward Phil Cofer has emerged as one of Florida State’s primary players after three seasons in the background.

The 6-foot-8 Cofer took over the team scoring lead last week from junior guard Terance Mann. Cofer averages 12.9 points after averaging below four points in each of the previous two seasons. He’s buried 47 3-pointers – he made 12 in his first three seasons – and his 39-percent accuracy paces the Seminoles.

Cofer, like several of FSU’s top scorers, has perimeter shooting ability (six 3s vs. Duke, five against Clemson) and can put the ball on the floor and create. He’s also an effective offensive rebounder.

Gonzaga power forwards Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura are the likely defensive options on the 220-pound Cofer. The Zags also have the option of putting 6-9, 230-pound Johnathan Williams on Cofer and having Tillie or Hachimura defend one of FSU’s rotation of three centers.