Arkansas coach Mike Anderson is getting a well rounded 8player in shooting guard Nick Babb, who committed to the Hogs on Saturday.
“He has the handle and the ability to create his shot or drive,” said Van Coleman, the National Director of Basketball for scouting for Hot100Hoops.com. “He has the length and quicks to defend on the perimeter. He will add immediate help help on both ends as a freshman.”
Babb, 6-4, 180 pounds of Arlington, (Texas) Martin picked Arkansas over about 10 other scholarship offers, including SMU and Texas A&M.
“He wants me to come in and be that guy that can get a bucket, get to the hole and score,” said Babb of Anderson. “Or just a role player basically and do whatever he tells me to do.”
Basketball runs in the Babb family. His father, Mike played at Cameron University while his brother, Chris signed with Penn State and played two seasons (2008- 2010) before transferring to Iowa State and being one of the top defenders in the Big 12 from 2011-2013.
Anderson has said the Hogs are putting a premium on character and Babb, who has a 3.7 grade point average, fits that description and is the type of player that Anderson and his staff target.
“I’m kind of that player that’s going to make those hustle plays,” Babb said. “If you want me to, I’m going to get to the hole and I’m going to dish it and get my teammates involved in the game. I’m a really good scorer and I’m a good finisher around the basket and I can shoot outside too if you want me to and if you leave me open I can knock it down.”
When he’s not on the basketball court, it’s a good bet Babb is at his father’s restaurant called Babb Brothers BBQ and Blues in Dallas.
“I usually serve the food,” Babb said. “Whatever they order, I’ll bring it to them.”