R. Jack Thobe (1984) - Hall of Fame - Xavier University Athletics

R. Jack Thobe

Induction:
1984
Class:
1962

Jack Thobe, a member of the XU Basketball Hall of Fame, was a three-time Team MVP (1960, 1961, and 1962).

He was one of the best big men in Xavier history. And, at 6-foot-8 and 221 pounds, he made his presence felt. Despite that, he possessed a soft shooting touch.

For a pivot man, his coach Jim McCafferty said that "he had the softest touch I've ever seen. And if you ever wanted to show someone how to shoot a hook shot, all you'd have to do is show them a film of a game that Jack Thobe played in."

Thobe's great shooting touch helped him lead Xavier in scoring three straight seasons, with averages of 18.4, 17.5, and 14.6 respectively. He also led the Musketeers in rebounding his sophomore and junior years, averaging 10.0 rpg. and 10.7 rpg.

Thobe, a product of Cincinnati's St. Xavier High School, was also an excellent passer, who could often be found giving the ball up unselfishly to a guard cutting towards the hoop.

A three-time Xavier MVP, Thobe was selected to the All-Catholic All-America Team. His senior year he was moved from center to forward to make room for Bob Pelkington.

He helped Xavier finish 17-9 in his first season on the varsity and then a 17-10 record as a junior. His junior year, 1961, marked the first appearance ever by a Xavier team in the NCAA Tournament.

Thobe, who now ranks 26th on the Xavier all-time scoring list, finished his career number two with 1,296 points. He is also tied for 17th on the all-time rebounding list with 718 caroms for a 9.3 rpg. average.

After graduating from Xavier, Thobe was selected in the fourth round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals.

THOBE'S CAREER STATS:


YEARS	GAMES	FGM-FGA	PCT.	FTM-FTA	PCT.	REB	AVG	PTS	AVG
59-60	26	203-434	.468	73-117	.624	260	10.0	479	18.4
60-61	25	177-374	.473	84-118	.712	267	10.7	438	17.5
61-62	26	152-344	.442	75-96	.781	191	7.3	379	14.6
Career	77	532-1,152	.462	232-331	.701	718	9.3	1,296	16.8