Air Force graduate Ethan Taylor was influential in Lucas Hobin’s decision to play for the Falcon’s basketball team. 

Taylor’s hometown of Houston neighbors Hobin’s hometown of Katy, Texas, which instantly connected the two players when Hobin, a freshman, visited his senior year of high school.  

“He told me that it’s going to be hard, but possible to do,” Hobin said, “Now seeing him in the G-League is super inspirational, because since I was young, I’ve been wanting to play at a high level so seeing that it is possible to go to a school that’s rigorous and still be able to do that is super cool to see. And I’m happy he is representing Air Force in that way.”

Hobin didn’t know what to expect coming to the academy, but he instantly became one of several freshmen with an impact on the new-look Air Force men’s basketball program (3-7). In fact, 47.1 percent of the team scoring comes from the freshman class.

“We have a very talented group of freshmen this year,” Junior captain Kolby Gilles said. “They have really helped us a lot this year, in terms of recovering from losing a lot of upperclassmen leadership from the past year. They’ve brought a lot to the team in terms of energy, whether that’s putting the ball in the basket or good defensive effort, they do a lot for us. Happy they are here helping us come along as a team.”

Two of the nine freshmen on this year’s roster, Kam Sanders and Ethan Greenberg, have started each of the first 10 games, while Hobin had his first start against Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 15 and has started every game since to lead the Falcons with 13 points per game. 

Sanders currently leads the Falcons in assists with 3.5 per game and broke a 67-year-old Air Force record for most consecutive free throws made in a game, 15 against South Dakota. Another freshman, Justin Hinds, has seen the court in eight of Air Force’s 10 games. 

“They have been forced to be a bit more mature,” Gilles said. “We put a lot on their shoulders in terms of helping us win and being expected to make an impact right away. But they’ve stepped up to the challenge and continue to do so. They’ve shown maturity in taking on that test.”

While playing against opponents four or five years older has its challenges, the freshmen have capitalized on their opportunities and have leaned on the upperclassmen as they’ve adjusted to life as cadets. 

“I didn’t know what to expect, I just wanted to come in and try my hardest and do the best I can for my teammates and try to be part of winning, whether I’m playing or not,” Hobin said. “The captains have helped me a lot, especially Kolby. He gives me tips and has been super helpful in my confidence. I know I can talk to them whenever I want, and they always have my back.”

Hobin has made the most of his starting role. In addition to his team-leading 13 points per game, he set a career-high 27 points against IU Indy, including 6-of-6 from the foul line, in 36 minutes. The freshman also has the team’s second-highest free-throw percentage (78.3%). 

“It’s a huge learning curve, and he is doing an excellent job in that, but those learning curves are experiential,” coach Joe Scott said of Hobin. “I know there’s a lot there, a lot to get better at with experience and with playing with the same guys. That’s the challenge.” 

Gilles has also taken Taylor’s wisdom to heart as a team captain and mentor on a team with no seniors. 

“Ethan is a close friend of mine. I spent a lot of time with him before he graduated,” Gilles said. “He is a good example to follow in how he handled his business. A great role model for me, sort of what I wanted to be as a cadet, and seeing what he is doing now is inspirational.

“It shows if you put the effort in and stay the course, great things can happen. There is always a way to achieve your goals. He still gives leadership advice and advice in general. If I have a question he is always there for me.”

Staying the course and not giving up when things get hard is the advice Gilles would give to his freshman self, and one that he echoes to the current freshman class. 

That advice will be important as the Falcons take on Navy for the first time in 20 years Sunday in Annapolis. It’s Air Force’s first service academy game since playing Army in 2021. The Falcons enter the game with 225 total games played on its roster, compared to 603 for Navy.

“We really want to win this game, lots of hard work in the off-season,” Hobin said. “We want to continue to get better and the more we figure things out, the more we bond as a team, the better the result will be. We want to go out there and compete to win.”