Eric Cobb likes what Frank Martin, Gamecocks have to offer

Looking for a big body in the middle, South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin has turned his attention to center Eric Cobb of Jacksonville, Fla.

Cobb (6-10, 280) attends school in Baltimore and will take an official visit to USC starting either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to his coach.

Cobb, who once was committed to Kansas State, visited Seton Hall unofficially last week. He had planned to visit VCU unofficially Monday but postponed that because of schoolwork he needed to complete before leaving for the USC visit.

“They (USC) really like him because he’s like a true post player,” St. Francis coach Nick Myles said. “He has good hands and good feet. He’s got to get in better shape to play at that level, but once that happens he will be a force in the SEC. He’s a great passer and he can turn and make a post move off of both shoulders. Lot of kids can’t do that. He has to get more athletic but that will come with getting in better shape. He’s a little heavy for what he needs to be.”

Last season Cobb averaged 13 points and nine rebounds a game, with most of his points coming right around the basket. He’s a true low-block, back-to-the-basket player who doesn’t venture far out of the paint.

Myles said Cobb will visit VCU at some point and is also looking at possible visits to Memphis and Massachusetts. But right now he’s very interested in what USC has to offer him.

“In his case it makes sense,” the coach said. “He’s been up here for a year, but he’s from Jacksonville so it’s only three hours from home so his family can come and see him. He definitely thinks South Carolina is in the right direction for being a tournament team every year, and that’s important to him, too, being in a program that has a legitimate chance of being a tournament team his four years there.”

Myles said Cobb’s parents plan to join him on the visit. And he said no decision will be made on the visit. His rule is for his players to come back after visits and give it 24 hours before making any decision.

This story was originally published April 28, 2015 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Eric Cobb likes what Frank Martin, Gamecocks have to offer."