Justin Cobbs
Cal has started Pac-12 play undefeated with a pair of road wins over Oregon and Oregon State this week. With two 20-point games, Justin Cobbs has been named NetScouts Basketball’s National Player of the Week for games through January 12th.
Cobbs had very similar performances with 20 points (6-13 FG, 1-2 3FG), 11 assists, and six rebounds against Oregon and another 20 points (6-13 FG, 1-2 3FG), nine assists, and five rebounds over Oregon State. In the game against the Beavers he scored all of his 20 points in a second half comeback. Against the Ducks, Cobbs had seven points and three assists in the final five minutes of play. The Golden Bears are now 3-0 in the Pac-12 with each win coming on the road.
The senior point guard from Los Angeles has played with the poise and leadership expected from him while he’s leading the team in scoring (15.1) and assists (6.4) per game. Cobbs does a good job attacking the rim or pulling up from mid-range but has been streaky from beyond the arc this season.
The 6-foot-4 Cobbs has been a clutch performer throughout his career and seems to always make the right play. Cal will be a sleeper team in the Pac-12 with the capability to contend for a conference title.
Brady Heslip
Baylor’s Brady Heslip has had a much different role in his senior season as a scorer off the bench, but has found success that showed against Iowa State and TCU this week. The native of Burlington, Ontario has been named NetScouts Basketball’s International Player of the Week for games through January 12th.
In a loss to Iowa State, Heslip shined with 15 points (5-10 FG, 4-6 3FG) in 24 minutes of action. He carried the success into Saturday with another 15 points (5-11 FG, 5-10 3FG) in an 88-62 rout of TCU.
“Just waiting and eager to get in there. … Once you get in there, you’re itching to contribute somehow,” Heslip told the Associated Press after the TCU game. “When I come in, I’m looking to be aggressive, whether it’s making a pass or looking for my shots. So, I’m trying to embrace it.”
Although the 6-foot-2 shooting guard has had a more limited role this season, he’s scoring at a higher rate as he’s averaging 11.5 points per game. He possesses a lights-out jumper from deep, shooting 49 percent from three-point range, which helps space the floor. Heslip is undersized for a two guard and isn’t a very good athlete, but has shown the ability to provide instant offense when left alone.
Cameron Schott is a Correspondent for NetScouts Basketball.
