Princeton's Cobb signs with NC Wesleyan

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 7, 2013 1:47 PM

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Nicholas Cobb remembers what it felt like when he walked out of the gymnasium at Princeton Middle School after being cut from the Bulldogs' basketball team in the eighth grade.

Cobb learned on Monday what it felt like to officially be a college basketball player. With his coaches and parents by his side, Cobb signed a grant-in-aid letter with North Carolina Wesleyan College where he will join the basketball team in the fall.

"It's a great feeling to know that all of the hard work I have put in has led to this," Cobb said. "I visited a couple other schools and went to some tryouts and things, but in the end Wesleyan just felt like the best fit."

Having a familiar face waiting to provide leadership when the next school year starts also factored into Cobb's decision. Former Bulldog standout David Gurganus is currently a junior with the Battling Bishops.

"David and I are going to work out over the summer and he is going to show me the ropes," Cobb said. "I played with some of the guys on my visit (to Wesleyan) and I felt pretty comfortable."

The 6-foot-4 forward made the transition from being primarily in the post as a junior to filling a wing position in Princeton head coach Jeff Davis' offense as a senior. Cobb averaged 12.5 points per game and gave the Bulldogs a consistent outside threat.

"Nicholas grew almost a foot between the eighth and ninth grades," Davis said. "At six-four, we used him under the basket a lot his first couple years in the program, but this season we decided to utilize his outside shot a little bit more and pull him outside."

An improved jump shot and a renewed focus in the weight room are two qualities that Davis expects will help Cobb transition from high school basketball to college.

"When (Cobb) gets to Wesleyan they are going to put some weight on him and make him stronger," Davis said. "He has the basketball tools, especially on the offensive end, he just needs to get out there and see how he fits in."

N.C. Wesleyan finished last season 16-11 overall. The Battling Bishops lost to Christopher Newport in the second round of the USA South Conference tournament.

Cobb plans to major in exercise science and hopes to become a physical therapist.