McNeese’ 6-foot-9 Felder enjoying return to the court
Published 4:36 pm Tuesday, December 19, 2023
- McNeese State Cowboys forward CJ Felder. (Kirk Meche / Image of Sport)
C.J. Felder’s long journey back to the basketball court had some long, dark moments.
The 6-foot-9 forward even wondered if he would ever get a chance to play college basketball again.
Felder’s road to the Legacy Center ended Sunday with a thunderous dunk that was followed by a giant smile that lit up the arena. Both of which were greeted by grateful cheers from the 4,300 who sold out the building.
“It felt great getting back out there,” said Felder. “I was just ecstatic to be playing basketball with my teammates.”
That’s all Felder wanted to do when he transferred to McNeese State from Florida over the summer. With one year of eligibility left he was looking to get a final fresh start under Cowboy head coach Will Wade.
But Felder’s return was put on hold by the NCAA, which said he needed a waiver to play as a second-time transfer. So like many others Felder waited as the process played out.
“It was long and complicated,” said Felder. “I did wonder if I was ever going to play. At the end of the day things worked out for a reason.”
Thanks to a federal judge in West Virginia, the NCAA rules were put on hold and all transfers were allowed to play last week.
“I just kept working and had to stay ready,” said Felder. “I just wanted to be ready to help the team when I came back.”
Now back, Felder feels ready to tell his story. He had requested a waiver from the NCAA for mental health reasons.
Last year while at Florida he left the team while suffering from anxiety and depression. He missed 18 games but was always in good standing according to Florida officials.
“A lot of little things helped trigger what happened to me in Florida,” said Felder. “I was in a dark place. I wasn’t able to enjoy playing or anything.
“It wasn’t one thing or another, just felt a lot of pressure. I have worked hard on finding ways to cope with that now.”
When he entered the transfer portal Wade was ready to go after him.
“He is a really good player who is even a better person,” Wade said. “Florida was always behind him and tried to help so we knew what we were getting.”
Despite being forced to sit out the first 11 games this season with the Cowboys, Felder is happy how things have worked out.
“I am in a great place right now,” he said. “It is different like night and day. I’m grateful to be in this situation and the way the school and community have welcomed me and been behind me.”
With his 7-foot-1 wingspan, Felder is expected to be a big boost to an already solid McNeese defense, especially down low once he gets his game legs back.
“It will take some time for him to know the rust off as far as games go,” said Wade. “But he has always been a big part of this team’s plans.”
Felder averaged just 2.9 points in 15 games last year with the Gators.
He stepped away from the team for what was called “personal reasons” last year but was welcomed back by head coach Todd Golden a few weeks later. Golden said at the time it was solely Felder’s decision and that he was not punished or in any trouble with the team.
Felder’s best year was his second at Boston College, where he started his career. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 boards in 19 games, starting 17 of those.
Felder said his Cowboy teammates have always had his back, along with the coaching staff. Wade has always rallied for his guy.
“This kid sat out an entire year, it’s a joke what they’ve(NCAA) done,” said Wade. “C.J. is a great kid and deserved to be playing.”
Felder says he has learned a lot over the last year and is willing to pass his knowledge to others.
“I know how to cope with things better,” said Felder. “This is the first year I haven’t put a mountain of pressure on my shoulders.
“Now I know how to handle situations, a lot of things happened to me. I think I can help others and give some advice to help them. One of my goals now is to leave a legacy and help as many people as I can.”
Felder’s first game as a Cowboy had a little of everything. He scored on the dunk, pulled down a few rebounds and even picked up a technical foul during a second-half scrum along the Louisiana-Lafayette bench.
What he did most was bring energy to McNeese and excite the crowd which had been waiting 11 games to see him play.
“The crowd was great, it was all exciting,” said Felder. “Now I just want to play hard, have fun and help this team win.”
Behind a fan favorite and role model to others who have also struggled with the same issues is a pretty good bonus for both him and the Cowboys.
