PLUMSTEAD: Hubert chooses UNC

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   Desmond Hubert continued his journey to the top of the basketball world.
   Last Thursday, the New Egypt High School senior verbally committed to play at North Carolina next year. The Tar Heels are the early consensus favorite to the win the NCAA championship next year.
   ”They have a lot of kids coming back,” said New Egypt head coach Jay Corby. “I’m so excited for him. I’m proud of him.
   ”I’m glad the process is over, as much fun as it was. I’m sure he feels relieved. It’s a credit to who he is and his whole story. He has the potential to get better and play there.”
   Hubert overcame some tough obstacles growing up, including the loss of his mother to cancer three years ago, to become one of the most sought after players in the country. North Carolina head coach Roy Williams was on hand at New Egypt for the Warriors’ sectional final game.
   It turned out to be the final game in the storied career of Hubert. He established school records in points (1,561), rebounds (1,052) and blocked shots (736). The Warriors showed steady improvement while winning 79 games and making a pair of sectional finals during his career. He will take his skills to North Carolina, which lost in the regional final to Kentucky in Newark, a game that Hubert witnessed.
   ”He went there (Apr. 9-10) weekend and he’s been sitting with his uncle and had some good talks about it,” Corby said. “He had seen everything and done the work and spent his time there. He had a good trip. I’m just proud of him.”
   Hubert isn’t just one of the best players to come out of New Egypt, but out of the entire state. It’s a credit to his work ethic and perseverance.
   ”He came in with a tough story with his mother,” Corby said. “It’s pretty cool to look at how far he’s come.
   ”A lot of kids, and a lot of people, the community, and Desmond, too, he can tell his kids that he went to North Carolina. There are a lot of people proud of him now.”