Update: Octavius Ellis, Farad Cobb Officially Sign With Cincinnati

Mar 19, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin addresses the media in a press conference during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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The University of Cincinnati made an official announcement on the Octavius Ellis and Farad Cobb commitment. Per the athletic department, both have formally submitted their letters of intent to join the Bearcats basketball program. They will use Mick Cronin’s final two scholarships for next season.

Ellis was released from the program two years ago after a pair of incidents caused him to lose his place on the roster. He transferred to Trinity Valley Community College and shined in the power forward role for the Cardinals. Ellis averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game en route to NJCAA All-American honors. Most importantly he kept his nose clean and proved to Cronin that he earned a second chance with the UC head coach.

Farad Cobb was in a similar boat as Ellis this time last year. He was kicked off of Chattanooga’s basketball team and wound up transferring to Northwestern Florida State. While there he blossomed into a dangerous scoring machine at point guard. Cobb averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting over 51% from the field and 46% from three. The fact that he brings those numbers to Cincinnati has me extremely excited about the Bearcats’ future back court.

While this maximizes UC’s roster capacity, Cronin might have an extra scholarship to give if Jermaine Lawrence follows through on his intention to transfer out of the program. If that’s the case it will be interesting to see if he pockets it or uses it on another available player in this class. Cincinnati’s 2014-15 roster might not be finalized quite yet.