Player Profiles: Chris Babb - Iowa State
This season, College Chalktalk will be highlighting players from around the nation in both BCS and non-BCS conferences who are under the national radar and deserving of ink. As we continue with the series we travel to the Big 12 and take a look at a long-range marksman.
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Doug Potter
Sometimes the term “closer to home” is used loosely. In the case of Iowa State redshirt junior, Chris Babb, that means very loosely. After starting 23 games at Penn State in 2009-10 and averaging 9.3 points, 3.2 boards and 2.2 assists per tilt, Babb decided that the 720 miles that separate Arlington, Texas (hometown) and Ames, Iowa, was not that far after all. The 6-5, 200 pound, sharp-shooting guard claimed that he wanted to be “closer to home”, transferring after the Nittany Lions endured an 11-20 season.
While Ames isn't exactly a stone's throw from Arlington, it is closer than Nittany Valley... and no Cyclone fan is complaining.
Comfortable at ISU, Babb has high hopes for his next two seasons. “This is a great opportunity for me to be able to play for Coach Hoiberg and Iowa State,” he said in a video interview with Cyclones.com. “I am excited to be a part of this program and help Coach Hoiberg get this team back where it used to be.” A 5-2 start to the 2011 campaign is a step in the right direction, and Babb is right in the thick of it.
Playing more (31.7mpg) and scoring more (14.5ppg) this season than perhaps some expected, Babb can flat out shoot the rock (ridiculous 52.3% from 3pt range thus far). He's also a plus free throw shooter (82% in 2009-2010 with PSU) and rebounds well from the guard spot (4.5rpg). Babb provides Fred Hoiberg with another sniper who fits seamlessly into the system.
Although three-point shooting is Babb’s strength, it can also be dubbed his weakness, having only made four field goals inside the arc in seven games this season. His 1.7 free throw attempts per game are also something he'll improve upon as he gets more acclimated to the offense and expands his offensive repertoire.
For now, though, ISU is plenty happy to have Babb firing from long range and everyone associated with the program hopes this season is one to remember. The Big 12 is in a bit of reloading mode this year (only three ranked teams, coaching changes, a young Texas squad) and the door is wide open for the Cyclones to make some noise. With the ultra-talented Royce White on the interior, sharp-shooter Babb, and second-year coach and 10-year NBA veteran, Fred Hoiberg, ISU could take a big step forward, something certain to make folks in Ames and Arlington proud.
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