JUCO Power Forward Completes Class

Coach Robert McCullum’s first recruiting class at USF now appears complete, with an oral commitment last week from Parkland (Ill.) Community College’s Maurice Mobley.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound power forward – originally from El Paso, Texas – will sign with the Bulls when the spring signing period opens Wednesday. Mobley is the final piece in a five-player class that also includes guards Montavious Waters, Collin Dennis and Marius Prekevicius and forward Solomon Jones.

Mobley averaged 12 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore center at Parkland, guiding the Cobras to a 23-10 record that ended one win short of the National Junior College Tournament. He was named first-team all conference and all region.

“I know it’s a tough comparison to make, but he kind of reminds me of the Mailman (NBA star Karl Malone),” Parkland College head coach Chris Warren said. “When he gets within 10 feet of the rim, somebody better have a body on him or it’s going to be trouble. I really thought he’d shatter a backboard this year. He dunks with that kind of force.”

Despite his size, however, Mobley is also an explosive leaper with a 39-inch vertical. His college decision came down to USF and New Mexico State, although Mobley received serious interest from approximately 15 Division I schools, including Rutgers, Creighton and Ball State, Warren said.

A native of El Paso, Mobley has been well traveled. His father is a career Navy veteran and the family has lived in several states, as well as overseas in Germany. Mobley played his first season of junior college basketball in Walnut, Calif., at Mount San Antonio College before transferring to Parkland.

“I guess the best way to describe him is Maurice is a physically dominant player who also has soft hands and really good touch for a big man. We didn’t play a game this year where he wasn’t double or triple-teamed, but he still shot 59-percent from the floor. Our last regular-season game he had a triple-double with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 12 blocks.” Warren said.

What makes Mobley stand out, however, is his work ethic. According to Warren, his top player was also his hardest worker – the first to practice and the last to leave.

“With some junior college kids you really have to push them, but not Maurice. He wants to work hard and he’s just a great kid. He’s really going to help (USF) and I know he’s really excited about having a chance to play in – as far as I’m concerned – the best conference in America.”