Bobbitt back after mono bout

The freshman forward provides a rebounding boost for the Pioneers.

C.J. Bobbitt figured he would have to be in the fast lane in learning how to make the jump from high school to college basketball. Even so, he wasn’t expecting a bout with mononucleosis to stop the learning process cold for seven games during Denver’s nonconference schedule.

While the Pioneers were tuning up for the start of Summit League play, which began Jan. 1, forward Bobbitt spent the last few weeks of 2015 just trying to feel well enough to get back on the playing floor.

At 6-foot-7, Bobbitt provides badly needed rebounding for the Pioneers (9-8, 1-3 league). And as one of three freshman starters for coach Joe Scott, Bobbitt needed all the playing experience he could get.

“I woke up one day with a sore throat and a headache,” Bobbitt remembered. “I had to just watch for a few weeks.”

The down time didn’t change his confidence.

“Basketball is the same game in college, just different people,” Bobbitt said. “But because of three freshman starters, we had to jell faster than most teams.”

Bobbitt is back and has played in all four of DU’s league games. He returned to the starting lineup against Oral Roberts on Jan. 6. He leads DU in rebounds at 4.1 per game and is fifth in scoring, at 6.2 points.

“I’m getting stronger,” Bobbitt said. “When I first got back, I felt slow. I feel better now but still a little tired at times.”

Scott thinks Bobbitt shows some rust from the playing time he missed.

“He is working his way back,” Scott said. “Freshmen still go through so many new experiences. He has a good sense of the game, but we have to ask how much better will he be Feb. 1. He has to be able to play more than 20 minutes in a game.”

In his four league games, Bobbitt hasn’t caught fire. He fouled out in two of them. DU’s league season continues with games Thursday at Western Illinois and Saturday at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

Bobbitt decided to make at east one thing easier in college. His given name is Celneque Jr., but he’s going with C.J.