Seymour Blasters rising star Eden Hobbs has returned from a successful journey to the United States with the AUSA Hoops program.
The AUSA Hoops program provides Australian basketballers with the opportunity to travel internationally and play against top-level competition, serving as a platform for aspiring athletes to present their skills to college recruiters.
Competing in two tournaments, Hobbs’ team delivered a seven-wins one-loss record, defeating American teams on their home soil.
Hobbs left a lasting impression in a game against Peak Basketball Arizona, scoring an impressive 20 points.
During the Prep Summer showcase tournament, he averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
Hobbs began his basketball career age seven at Wallan, playing in the Aussie Hoops program.
He played at Wallan until he was 15 before moving to Broadmeadows Basketball Club, where he currently plays in the men’s program.
Hobbs received an invitation to the AUSA Hoops program via social media in September 2022.
“I was the alumni of the players who have gone through the program before, such as Melbourne United’s Luke Travers and was keen to get involved with the program due to the great reputation they had,” he said.
Travers participated in the 2019 program and plays for NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers after selection in the 2022 draft.
Hobbs’ team at the tournament consisted of eight players from other states, including Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.
“We had three players over 6 foot 10, which made us a huge team, and that was a great advantage to us,” he said.
“The tournaments were a completely different style of basketball, which was something we as a team were quick to adapt to.
“A challenge we faced was the difference in the way the game was officiated over there, but we didn’t let it stop the way we used our basketball IQ as a team, and Australian physicality in our games to dominate across both tournaments.”
The side was undefeated, with four wins in the first tournament and three wins, one loss in the second tournament.
Hobbs was named Player of the Tournament.
“Being recognised for my efforts across the tournament was definitely a privilege and for sure a motivator to keep putting in the work to be better and better every day,” he said.
“But I also used it as a reminder to appreciate the achievements, yet work on weaknesses, to take the next step in my game.”
Seymour Blasters CBL captain Jack Murphy said the Blasters had supported Hobbs’ basketball career.
“Eden attributes his remarkable progress in basketball to the outstanding coaching he received and his involvement with the Seymour basketball program,” he said.
“The program’s team-first culture has allowed Eden to flourish and showcase his talents to the fullest extent.”
Hobbs will play his second year with Seymour Blasters men’s CBL side this summer as they chase another championship win to go back-to-back after reigning victorious against Benella last season.
“In my future, I plan to just go as far as I can, whether that’s college basketball in America or a high level closer to home,” Hobbs said.
“Playing basketball at a high level has always been a dream and something I will continue to put in the work to achieve.”
