Florida State's Phil Cofer granted fifth year of eligibility by NCAA

The Florida State men's basketball team got a big boost Friday with the announcement that senior forward Phil Cofer has been granted a medical hardship waiver and a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

"I am happy to announce that I will be returning to Florida State's basketball team next season," Cofer said in a prepared statement on the team's Twitter page.

"I have been working hard, on and off the court, to prepare for another incredible season. I can't wait to put the Florida State uniform back on."

"(FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton) walked up and said, 'Congrats,' and just started laughing and smiling," Cofer said of how he found out.

"It's been a long period around this whole summer and we just didn't know when it was going to go down but I think Coach Ham had great confidence."

After averaging 6.9 points per game as a freshman in 2014-15, Cofer played in just 11 games as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

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His role was limited upon his return as a junior, but Cofer -- finally healthy -- broke out last year, playing a huge role in FSU's first Elite Eight run in 25 years.

He led the Seminoles with 12.8 points per game, averaged 5.1 rebounds and played a team-high 29.3 minutes per game as the only FSU player to start all 35 games.

"Those of us who have known Phil Cofer over the year realize the type of outstanding young man that he is. He's a Seminole through and through. He's a special kind of person," Hamilton said.

"For him to have the opportunity to continue his development and growth after going through those two years of chronic injuries, for the NCAA to give him this opportunity is what they're supposed to all be about."

The impact of Cofer being granted an additional year is amplified by freshman center Ike Obiagu's unexpected decision to transfer to Seton Hall after just one season with FSU.

"I'm so happy for him and so happy for his teammates," Hamilton said.

"We get to continue the growth of our program with a guy who more than anything else is not only a great player for us, he has great leadership qualities that really, really will be the type of leadership that we need for this team, where we are now."