Now, we'll add that he should have been a Saint all along. He's a lifelong South Philly resident and would have been at N-G for all 4 years had he been blessed with a shade more patience and/or confidence.
Yesterday, in extended minutes, Coaxum shot 6-for-7 (one trey) and 5-for-5 for a career high of 18 points, and claimed a game-high nine rebounds, as N-G outlasted visiting Archbishop Carroll, 72-56, to claim its 58th consecutive Catholic League win over four seasons, counting the regular season and playoffs.
Due to his work ethic, Coaxum is called "one of my all-time favorites" by coach Carl Arrigale, who adds emphatically, "He has never cheated me for one second."
Until roughly 4 years ago, Coaxum lived near 5th and Christian and his current home can be found on Pierce Street, near 27th and Moore. But when ninth grade neared . . .
"Neumann was always so good, I didn't know whether I'd ever be able to play here," he said. "I gave [other schools] some thought and came up with Dougherty. It took about an hour each way with the subway and the 57 bus. My friends were always saying, 'Why are you going up there? It's too far. You don't even know anybody.' It was far, but I liked it. Wasn't the same kind of basketball as here, though.
"When I was in 10th grade, Neumann had that ridiculous talent with Tony Chennault and Tyreek Duren . . . all kinds of Division I players. When the word came that Dougherty was closing, I thought, 'Maybe I could go to Neumann now and get some time.' "
And then he thought some more . . . and some more.
"It was going to be here or Constitution," he said, mentioning a blossoming Public League power. "I still wasn't sure until deep into the summer."
Now, Coaxum has left behind his deep-sub status. He mostly plays on the wing, but can handle well enough to help in that area and his defense tends to be sticky, also.
Even better, he's the poster boy for guys who get it, which is why Arrigale sings his praises at such high volume.
