Graduate garners national attention
During the Christmas holiday one night I was sitting on the couch reading. I had turned the TV on for background noise, but wasn’t really paying attention. I heard a name that caught my attention; it was a familiar name that I knew. That name was Darington Hobson.
This archived article was written by: Nathan Davis
During the Christmas holiday one night I was sitting on the couch reading. I had turned the TV on for background noise, but wasn’t really paying attention. I heard a name that caught my attention; it was a familiar name that I knew. That name was Darington Hobson.
Hobson was a stand-out player for the College of Eastern Utah between 2007-2009. He was a first team All-American and a two-time first team all Scenic West Athletic Conference. Now he is making a name for himself at the University of New Mexico and drawing national attention. The first time I saw Hobson on Sports Center, it was for pulling in a double-double when his UNM Lobos upset then nationally-ranked Texas Tech. Since then I have seen him multiple times, and followed him and his UNM team.
Hobson was born in Las Vegas Nev. but moved many times during high school before finally graduating from Decatur Christian Academy in Decatur, Ill. Basketball has been a major part of Hobson’s life since he was young. He received his first recruiting call when he was a sophomore in high school. He said that he’d received recruiting calls from Kentucky, Kansas, Illinois, UNLV, Tennessee, Florida and UNM. Hobson committed to UNM but due to academic complications, he came to CEU.
In an interview for hoopsworld.com, Hobson said “At first, going to junior college was a down point for me … I was upset but now I realize it was the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He continued saying about CEU that “I’m more mature, more grown up. I learned about being mature both on and off the court … Coach [Chris] Craig helped me play at a high level and focus on being a great teammate and a great all-around player.”
While at CEU he shined, becoming a fan favorite and leading the Eagles in scoring and rebounds. Hobson lead the team to a 42-22 record in his two years of play. After graduating from CEU with a 3.0 GPA, he transferred to UNM finally getting the chance to play Division I basketball.
And Hobson has not wasted the opportunity. Last month he led his team in scoring, rebounding and assists, a feat that has never before been accomplished in UNM’s history. He has also helped his team to a 20-3 start.
He has drawn comparisons to former NBA star, Penny Hardaway, and is getting some attention from NBA scouts. In the hoopsworld.com interview, Hobson said of the chances to play in the NBA “That’s going to be my greatest accomplishment ever … There are a lot of people that think I’m not going to get there so if I get there, it’s just going to be amazing.”
Hobson has had an extraordinary journey that has taken him across the country and into many different states, but hopefully his trip will continue to the courts of the NBA.
