After getting home from Creighton’s camp over the weekend, it didn’t take Toby Hegner long to decide where he wanted to play his college ball at. “The feel I got on campus, I can’t really describe it but it was an unbelievable feeling. After it was over, I felt the same way that I had on my previous visit, that it was the place I belonged. I came home and talked to my parents. Then I called Coach McDermott and asked him if I could be a Bluejay.”
McDermott was excited to hear the news, and told Hegner it made him the happiest coach in America. With good reason: Hegner averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds a game, and shot 35% from three-point range as a junior at Berlin in Wisconsin. The 6’10” power forward has a game that reminds some of Doug McDermott — he has the ability to not only score off the block, but also off the dribble and from the perimeter.
Hegner has played AAU basketball since eighth grade for the Wisconsin Playmakers, and when we talked to his coach, Jason Jesperson, he was ebullient in his praise — and clear in the areas Hegner needs to work on. “He needs to get tougher on the block, and get stronger in the weight room. But his ability to shoot and stretch the defense, his unselfishness, as well as his ability to put the ball on the floor, makes him a very dangerous offensive player.”
That’s an assessment Hegner agrees with. “I can shoot the three — I’m pretty accurate. But I can also go down low and bang and get the garbage points. I definitely have areas I need to improve on. I’m working on my dribble drive, and distributing the ball. I’m also working hard to get stronger, and to improve both my foot quickness and foot work.”
The first commitment of a very important 2013 class for the Bluejays — they’ll be faced with replacing Gregory Echenique, Josh Jones, and Grant Gibbs, as well as Doug McDermott if he turns pro a year early — Hegner gives them another big man to play alongside Will Artino and Geoff Groselle. He was first offered by Creighton last summer, and has been to Omaha “Seven or eight times” according to Hegner. “I get along great with all of the guys, and I know Doug (McDermott), Ethan (Wragge) and Isaiah (Zierden) really well from those trips.”
Both Toby and his coach were really impressed with Creighton’s staff. “I have a great relationship with all the coaches,” Hegner said. “We talk and text all the time.”
“Creighton and Coach Merfeld have built a good relationship with our (AAU) program,” Jesperson noted. “You feel good sending kids to a program like Creighton, who’ve earned it and work very hard to be where they’re at.”