Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team forward KC Ndefo is now a hometown hero in Elmont.

No. 11 Ndefo has helped Saint Peter's on its Cinderella journey in the big dance.

"He's been a good star player, good kid. I'm just happy for him," says Kirk Morris, of Platinum Cuts.

Morris says Ndefo would come in occasionally to get his hair trimmed at Platinum Cuts. Morris remembers Ndefo playing at Elmont Memorial High School before he went on to play for Saint Peter's.

"He makes all his boys proud," Morris adds.

When he was at Elmont High, teammate Jordan Lawson says Ndefo was a leader on and off the court.

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"He was always there for us, he was really one of the best teammates I could ask for," Lawson says.

Former Elmont basketball Coach George Holub says he's been glued to the television watching Ndefo play. He says he saw greatness in Ndefo from the beginning.

"I always knew he'd do great things," Holub says. "He just has a drive in him to attack and always attack. I always knew he would do well at Saint Peter's."

Like any former coach, Holub has some last-minute advice for his former player as he goes up against UNC Tar Heels Sunday for a spot in the Final Four.

"He's been playing really well. He just has to keep himself out of foul trouble," he says. "I am truly impressed with what he's done."

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