The conversation quickly turned to Derek Jobe’s startling off-the-tee distance as well as his difficulties with the short stick.
Jobe, a Rogers High School product, set a pretty lofty standard in his first season with University of Puget Sound basketball in 2011-12. He quickly established himself as the Loggers’ premier 3-point shooter, logged 13 games of double-digit scoring, and was eventually tabbed as D3Hoops.com’s West Regional freshman of the year.
But last summer, the 6-foot-4 guard balanced playing in a competitive men’s summer league featuring NCAA Division I standouts to another sport that provides him the ultimate frustration – golf.
Looking for an offseason job, he walked into Allenmore Golf Course in south Tacoma and dropped off a résumé. He was hired on the spot to work a summer position.
“I washed carts, worked in the pro shop and did other miscellaneous things,” Jobe said.
It also enabled him to resume playing his second sport. Jobe was a three-year golf letterman at Rogers.
In down time, he played three or four rounds a week at Allenmore, considered one of the better municipal courses in the South Sound. Par for the 18-hole layout is 71 strokes.
His best round of the summer?
“I would say a 76 or 77,” Jobe said. “Since I was hitting the weights hard, I was hitting my clubs far – like a 7-iron went 190 yards.”
Jobe said he never did get a feel for Allenmore’s greens, however.
“I am a bad putter,” he said, laughing. “I was in high school, too.”
He hasn’t lost his shooting touch, even though opponents are paying him far closer attention than last season, when he had reliable seniors Kaleb Shelton-Johnson, Anthony Gittens and Edric Egberuare around.
“Derek is a weight-room junkie, and that was a big reason he made an impact so early – he is stronger than the average freshman,” UPS basketball coach Justin Lunt said. “It has been harder this year for him because everyone is keying on him, and knows what he will do.”
Jobe is starting to develop into more than just a 3-point shooter. Because of Jobe’s size and strength, Lunt has utilized him more down on the low block, posting up smaller guards.
Lunt said he envisions Jobe eventually moving to forward.
“I am still working with (UPS assistant John) McCrossin on my post-up game,” Jobe said. “I think moving to forward would work better because I am better in the post than off the dribble.”
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@ thenewstribune.com @ManyHatsMilles
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