Norris Gene Cole II (born October 13, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Osos de Manatí of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).

Cole was a star at Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio, leading his basketball team to consecutive state championships in his junior and senior years.

[1] Cole was set to go to Walsh University on a football scholarship when Cleveland State basketball coach Gary Waters decided to recruit him.

On December 15, 2008, he helped lead Cleveland State to their biggest regular season victory in school history, upsetting the #11 Syracuse Orange, 72–69.

His numbers improved over the course of his college basketball career, which culminated in a senior year that saw him average 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game, highlighted by a 41-point, 20-rebound, 9-assist performance against Youngstown State.

[2] Cole was recognized for his accomplishments by being the first person in the Horizon League's men's basketball history to be named both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, earning an AP All-America Honorable Mention, making the USBWA District V team, as well as the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 12 First Team.

After a solid preseason when he averaged 21.3 points and 8 assists, he impressed a nationwide audience in the Heat's home-opener against the Boston Celtics by scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter (making many crucial shots in the closing minutes) to secure a Heat victory in the face of a Celtics comeback attempt.

Cole won his first championship in his rookie season after the Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4–1.

On October 29, 2014, Cole started his first opening-night game and subsequently scored a career-high 23 points in the 107–95 win over the Washington Wizards.

In June 2015, the Pelicans tendered a $3.037 million qualifying offer to make Cole a restricted free agent.

In just under 23 minutes of action off the bench, he scored 11 points in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, as the Pelicans dropped to a 4–14 win–loss record to start the season.

On August 15, 2017, Cole signed a one-year deal with the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv of the EuroLeague.

[20] On November 30, 2017, Cole recorded a season-high 26 points, shooting 4-of-6 from three-point range, along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in an 81–74 win over Žalgiris.

[24] On October 23, 2018, Cole recorded 33 points, shooting 7-of-13 from three-point range, along with 8 rebounds and 9 assists in a 105–102 overtime win over Anwil Włocławek.

[26][27] On December 21, 2018, Cole joined the Montenegrin team Budućnost Podgorica of the ABA League and the EuroLeague, signing for the rest of the season.

He played in the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup with the Reds,[41] and made his debut on 21 September when he contributed 13 points and 9 assists in Al Ahly's win over the NBA G League Ignite.

[42] In September 2023, following his performance with Al Ahly, Cole joined Ohud Medina of the Saudi Basketball League,[43] but didn't play for them.

[45] Cole was a member of the National Honor Society and served as the salutatorian of his high school senior class.