Miami Southridge boys’ basketball star keeps promise made to his late mother
In June of 2021, Katrina Usher made a surprise visit to basketball practice.
She wanted to make sure that Southridge coach Robert Doctor was holding her son, Koree Cotton, accountable.
“She pulled me and Koree aside,” Doctor said. “She said that college basketball was Koree’s dream, and she wanted to make sure I kept pushing him athletically and academically.
“Koree and I promised to make it happen.”
Sadly, Usher died one month after that conversation, passing away at age 52 on July 4, 2021 due to liver disease.
Despite her death, Cotton – with his coach’s guidance -- has kept his promise to his mother. Cotton, a 6-6, 205-pound senior combo guard, recently signed a Division I scholarship to play for Virginia Military Institute.
“We’re excited about the addition of Koree,” VMI coach Andrew Wilson said in a statement. “He has tremendous size for a perimeter player, and we feel he’ll be an asset due to his winning mindset.”
Cotton’s “mindset”, however, was in a dark place after his mother passed. Cotton had been left alone in the family’s house with only his father, Sylvester, who has had significant struggles with anxiety and depression, according to his son.
“I was just 16 at the time, and it was real tough,” said Cotton, now 18. “I had gotten to the point of depression. I didn’t want to hoop. I didn’t want to go out. I just wanted to be by myself.
“Coach (Doctor) came to my house about one week after my mom died. He told me I had to push through.
“Now, I use my mom’s death as motivation. I have to be great for her.”
Cotton, who has not been through counseling, said he prefers to talk to friends who have endured similar traumatic loss.
“I don’t want to talk to anybody that wouldn’t understand,” Cotton said. “A counselor is paid to say certain things. With a friend, it comes more from the heart.”
Cotton this season is wearing a warm-up shirt that reads:
“Long Live Katrina Usher
May 5, 1969 -- July 4, 2021”
That motivation appears to be working as Cotton has powered Southridge to a 13-3 start. Cotton leads the Spartans in scoring (22.5), rebounds (6.6), assists (2.8) and blocks (1.1). A third-year starter who is on his fourth season on varsity, Cotton also ranks second in steals (2.1).
As a freshman, however, Cotton was immature, habitually skipping class. He also wasn’t focused on the court or in the weight room.
The death of his mother changed everything, and now he’s the first player in the gym every day, putting up shots at 6 a.m.
Off the court, Cotton likes the idea of giving back to the community in some capacity. He dreams of becoming a corrections officer, a defense attorney or a cop.
“With my platform as a basketball player,” said Cotton, whose parents served in the U.S. Army, “I’m hoping I can change the way people look at the police.”
One of Cotton’s mentors in that regard is Brian Asbury, a former Miami Hurricanes basketball player who is now a member of the Coral Gables police force.
Asbury, who competed for Doctor at South Miami, spent 11 years playing pro basketball in Europe as well as Israel, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Lately, Asbury, 36, has helped Cotton build his game.
“I see a little bit of myself in him,” said Asbury, who is 6-foot-7. “We have similar height and skills.
“He has the tenacity to get better, and – like me – he’s a quiet leader.”
Asbury is also pleased that Cotton wants to follow him into the law-enforcement field.
“Growing up, Coach Doctor was my mentor, and he stressed having a plan for life after basketball,” Asbury said.
“When you are young, you think basketball will last forever. It doesn’t, and I think Koree knows that and is preparing for his future.”
Cotton, in fact, is thinking way ahead, and he is thrilled he has been able to keep his promise to his mom.
“It feels amazing,” said Cotton, who toured VMI on Nov. 4 and signed eight days later. “But I want to make her even happier by one day playing professionally.”
This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 9:00 AM.