Prospect Spotlight: Cooper Hobson (2020)
As we start the second half of the high school season we wanted to catch up with Preston High Schools Cooper Hobson (2020). Preston is off to a 13-1 start this year. Their only loss came early in the season on the road to a talented Twin Falls team. Preston is going for their 4th State title in a row, and Hobson greatly increases the odds of them getting that 4th title.
This is Hobson's first year playing for Preston. The last two seasons he played for West Side High School. But it wasn't a hard adjustment joining Preston, "Within a couple weeks of practice I felt like I was accepted into the Preston basketball program very well. The people are great, the coaching staff is amazing, there isn't a better one out there. The feel is great and I think we have some high expectations for this year!" Preston has arguably one of the most talented teams in Idaho across all classifications. They are very athletic and have multiple scoring threats. So far this year Hobson has had multiple games scoring over 20 points and his game high this year was 30 points.
Working together is a big part of Preston's success and what makes playing the game fun. "The thing I like most about playing basketball is how it is a team sport. I love working as a team and being able to accomplish things together through the journey. Who cares if you have 30 pts one game and then 7 pts the next. As long as you did your roll on the team that night and you come out victorious that's all that matters. I just love how it takes a team to accomplish big things."
Hobson is always looking to improve himself as a player. "I want to improve my game by being a better all around basketball player. So if coach needs me to play post I can go down there and post up. Or if he needs me to play the point guard, I want to be capable of bringing the ball down and running the 1. Another big thing that I need to work on is ball handling and finishing through traffic. Other than that I just work hard at practice to improve my whole game day by day."
During the summer, Hobson plays grassroots ball for one of Utah's best programs, Cache Valley Elite. "Playing with Cache Valley Elite over the summer has improved my game a lot. The main way it's helped me is by increasing the tempo of the game. Going from 2A to playing with Cache Valley, to now 4A, the tempo changes BIG TIME. Playing 2A was more laid back and run set plays to get open. Then to go play with Cache Valley Elite it is a constant running and pushing the ball to try to get quick points in transition. Playing 4A basketball it's a lot like playing for Cache Valley Elite."
Since he was in middle school Hobson has had a goal to play Division 1 basketball. "I'd say the recruitment is going pretty good. I have a couple Divison 2 colleges and Idaho State looking at me. Playing Division 1 basketball has been my goal since I was in middle school."
