Morgan State University senior guard Kameron Hobbs has scored 20+ points in nine of his last 12 games, including an eight games stretch with 20+.
The Bears are tied for third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic conference (MEAC) and 10-3 at home, with Hobbs leading the team in scoring.
Despite being named to the MEAC Preseason third team and starting 27 of the 31 games he played last season, the 5-foot-10-inch guard spent the first month of the season on the bench for the Bears.
Hobbs’ first start came Dec. 1 vs Central Pennsylvania University, where he scored 16 points in 31 minutes.
Dec. 15 against Campbell University would mark the start of an eight game stretch where Hobbs would score 20+ points, averaging 24.75 points per game.
This stretch included a 23 point game against #3 Iowa State University, followed by a 25 point performance against Minnesota, as well as a 40 point game in a double-overtime thriller against North Carolina Central University.
“I’ve been saying I had the chip on my shoulder, I’ve been feeling underrated,” said Hobbs. “It’s almost conference time, I really gotta pick it up and show why I’m underrated so people can stop sleeping.”
Hobbs would be named MEAC Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks during this run and accredited the scoring streak to his teammates and coaches saying they’ve been trusting him.
“Any success I get comes from my team and my coaches…we got to win, that’s the only way I can get recognized,” said Hobbs. “Even if I have a good game and we lose, none of that MEAC Player of the Week stuff is gonna happen. I just got to put the team first [and] do what we got to do to win.”
The Bears went 4-4 over the 8 game period, and 3-2 in conference play. Hobbs said it’s been a personal goal of his to show people he can lead the team. “Whether that’s in assists, rebounds, whatever we have to do to win, I just want to lead the team.” Although his 20 point streak ended versus UMES, Hobbs led the Bears with 6 assists, and added 2 steals in their 76-63 victory.
Associate Head Coach Chretien Lukusa said Hobb’s play this season started with his effort in practice, as well as his work before the season even began.
“Kam has been consistent, he brings it everyday in practice,he’s a leader on the court and off the court,” said Hobbs “I think the way he’s prepared throughout the course of the summer into the preseason and into our non-league conference games is now transitioning and translating into the start of conference play. We need him to continue to play the way he’s playing.”
What many don’t know about Hobbs is that he transferred from division two North Greenville University and walked on to the basketball team at Morgan.
“You know Kam, it’s a great story, he came to us as a walk-on…tried out, impressed us in tryouts, but we didn’t think that Kam would be the player he is now, but he always thought that,” said Lukusa. “He has a huge chip on his shoulder…he might be only 5 ’10, but he walks around like he’s 6′ 10. He has that kind of personality about him…he should pass the 1000 point mark here at Morgan in the next few games. I’m thankful for what he’s brought to us and excited for what the future holds for him.”
With five games left before the start of the MEAC Tournament in mid March, Hobbs said the three biggest things he’ll take away from his basketball journey are, “ heart over height, don’t let anyone doubt you, and believe in yourself and always take chances.”
Hobbs and the rest of the men’s basketball team will host Howard university at Hill Field house on Feb. 22 at 4p.m.
