By Paul M. Banks
With today’s narrow escape over Tennessee State at home, (NU beat TSU 69-62) it’s starting to look like it might be a long year for Northwestern hoops. With their star, Kevin Coble out for the season, NU is searching for a new identity, and might lean on junior point guard Michael “Juice” Thompson, who had a career high 31 points today. But looking past this year, 2010-11 is shaping up to be very promising.
The nucleus (including Coble) will all return, and they’ll be joined by a top 100 national recruit in JerShon Cobb. The news was released Friday:
“JerShon will be a welcome addition to our program,” Head Coach Bill Carmody said. “With his versatility and ability to score, I think JerShon is capable of stepping in and helping us right away. He is a highly ranked recruit who comes from a region that produces some of the top basketball talent in the country.”
Cobb was a first-team Class AAA all-state selection in the state of Georgia after averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season as a junior. He is ranked as a four-start recruit and the No. 90 collegiate prospect in his class by Rivals.com.
JerShon Cobb
6-5 • 175
Guard
Decatur, Ga./Columbia
High School: Rated as a four-star recruit and the No. 90 national collegiate prospect by Rivals.com … First-team all-state selection of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia Sportswriters Association and also Georgia Hoops as a junior … Averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2 steals per game during junior season … Team MVP … Scored 35 points against nationally ranked Pinewood Prep (S.C.) … Named to Kingdom of the Sun all-tournament team … Member of Class AAAA state championship team as a sophomore … Has helped Columbia High to a 105-6 record through first three prep seasons … Team captain … Three-year letterwinner … Honor roll student … Member of BETA Club …. Played AAU ball for the Atlanta Express … High school coach is Phil McCary.
Personal: Born JerShon Keion Cobb on 11/30/91 … Son of Jerran and Kesia Cobb … Columbia High alums include Chris Tucker (actor) and Gail Devers (track and field athlete) … Chose Northwestern over Cincinnati, Mississippi, Clemson, Marshall, Alabama and Florida.