May 19, 2010

BERKELEY - Justin Cobbs, a 6-3 point guard, has transferred to California from Minnesota, Golden Bear head coach Mike Montgomery announced Wednesday. Cobbs joins the Golden Bears after appearing in 34 of 35 games as a freshman for the Golden Gophers last season.

"We're really excited to add Justin to our program," Montgomery said. "He had a fantastic high school career. He won a state championship. He has a year of experience in an excellent program in the Big Ten. He should really solidify our guard position for years to come. He's strong, and he's a pure point guard. He can defend, and he knows how to run a club. He has all the things you look for in a guard. We're pleased to add him to our program. I'm looking to forward to working with these young kids in the future."

Cobbs averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.3 apg in 10.7 mpg last season for the Gophers. He scored a season-high seven points in 18 minutes of play in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals against Purdue on March 13.

A graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School, Cobbs averaged 20.4 ppg, 4.5 apg and 4.8 rpg as a senior. He was named the CIF Division IV Most Valuable Player and received the John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award for Division IV. Cobbs, a native of Los Angeles, was also named the California state Co-Player of the Year as a junior.

Cobbs joins incoming freshman Emerson Murray out of Vancouver, British Columbia, as the two spring additions to Cal's roster for the 2010-11 season. Cal's recruiting class, which earned a final ranking of No. 24 by ESPN, is headlined by Three players ranked in Rivals' Top 150 - 6-2 point guard Gary Franklin (Santa Ana, Calif., Mater Dei High School), 6-9 forward Richard Solomon (Los Angeles, Price High School), 6-5 guard Allen Crabbe (Los Angeles, Price High School), and also 6-5 guard Alex Rossi, a long-distance shooter from Chicago (Winnetka, Ill., New Trier Township High School).