Jaguars' Hobbs headed to Mo. State
Missouri State replaced Hinson with former Purdue star and East St. Louis native Cuonzo Martin, whose first goal is taking the Bears to the Big Dance. Martin believes he now has the point guard the team needs to achieve that goal.
Gateway Tech's Derron Hobbs is one of the first two signees in the Cuonzo Martin era. Watching Hobbs lead the Jaguars to the state quarterfinals, Martin said he was impressed with the 5-foot-10 guard's athleticism."This is a guy who is a point guard who can also score," said Martin, who added that Hobbs' speed, quickness and ability to penetrate make him so difficult to defend. "Anytime you can have five guys on the floor who can score, that's a plus."
Hobbs was forced to sit out the first half of the season this year after transferring from Vashon. In just 12 games, Hobbs averaged 14 points, better than two assists and was second on the team in steals with 26. In the team's come-from-behind win over DeSmet in sectionals, Hobbs was 15-of-16 from the free-throw line and finished with 22 points and seven steals.
"He's one of the most talented guards and is blessed with a lot of tools most guards don't have," said Gateway Tech coach James Washington, who has watched Hobbs since he was a freshman at Vashon playing with Washington's son. "From what it looks like in his workouts, he could play right away. Cuonzo said he's going to turn him loose."
Washington was an assistant last season in Kurtis Downing's first and last season as head coach. Downing is taking a principal position in Atchison, Kan., next fall and Gateway Tech athletics director Sabrina Mack said the job is now Washington's. The longtime Public High League coach said Martin asked questions about Hobbs' leadership qualities and toughness, uncertain whether the 17-year-old's frame can take the beating of a Division I schedule. Hobbs recognizes that he needs to put on about 15 pounds of muscle and both coaches feel the talented player will "fit right in" with the Bears.
"Coach Martin really liked my speed and quickness," Hobbs said. "I know I've got to work out in the summer and build up strength. He told me if I put in the work, that I could be ready to play."
When Hobbs took a tour of the new facilities in Springfield, it fueled his desire to play for a coach he said can "relate to anybody."
"I'm really excited," Hobbs said. "My parents chose Missouri State from the jump. I don't know why, but they always just wanted me to go there. Their set up is real nice. With me coming right in and playing, I'm really looking forward to it."
At times in the postseason, Hobbs tried to do too much and forced some shots - especially with a pair of ailing players in the state quarterfinal game against eventual state champion Webster Groves - Martin said he's not worried about the guard's decision making.
"I'd rather you know you have the ability and try," Martin said. "We'll work with him and get him to make better decisions and give him a better understanding of how to be a leader out there. But you want the guys to be aggressive. The best players always have the talent. When you recruit you try to get quality guys. You want athletes, but you also have to get character guys.
"He has the talent. The one thing with incoming guys, it's not about the talent. It's whether or not, he can adjust and take the hits and keep playing. We certainly expect him to play from day one."
