When Martin Roub came to Western Nebraska Community College from the Czech Republic, he came here to play basketball with an unknown future.

                In his short time at WNCC, Roub has benefited greatly from junior college basketball in finding his next home. The 6-foot-10 center made it official Friday, signing with Division I Jacksonville State University, located in Jacksonville, Alabama.

                Roub had plenty of colleges looking at him from different levels, but felt Jacksonville State was the best fit for him.

                "I decided to go there because it is a good fit for me," he said. "Also, I didn't want to wait and listen to coaches in going through the recruiting processes the whole year. I felt it was the right decision.

I feel like it is a relief for me. I am glad I can now focus on my teammates and my team and the season."

                WNCC coach Cory Fehringer said it is important for the player to find the right fit. Roub found the right fit.

                "Marty had plenty of other options at all different levels. If he holds off he could get recruited by what some consider a high major or mid-major schools," he said. "The kids need to find the right fit, the right coach, and the right school for them to be successful in. he was confident Jacksonville State was the place to be."

                Roub is not your typical 6-foot-10 center. Most centers are just inside players, but Roub has range from within the paint and beyond the arc. Last season, in helping the Cougars to a Region IX title, Roub averaged 10 points a game while burying 60 3-pointers. Roub shot 44 percent from behind the arc.

                This season, Roub is averaging 13.4 points and seven rebounds a game, having made six treys in the first five games.

                Fehringer said Roub is a special offense weapon.

                "He is one of the most unique and special offensive weapons in the country," Fehringer said. "He has been a blessing as far as an everyday guy with no days off. He has been a blessing just with his spirit just like Jervay Green has. Those two guys show up to go to work night in and night out and put Western Nebraska above themselves. It has been awesome to have those two guys as the leaders of the program along with the other guys."

                Roub said he has elevated his game since arriving on campus last year.

                "I think I have improved a lot," he said. "I have put on a lot of weight on and overall I have improved."

                For Roub, who came to WNCC from the Czech Republic, he considers Scottsbluff home and he doesn't want to talk about leaving this community.

                "Coach, my teammates, and my dorm family and everybody around are really important to me in creating a feeling of home," he said. "This will always be a place that feels like home. I don't want to think about that [leaving just yet]."

                Fehringer said there is no better joy then to watch a player like Roub succeed on and off the court.

                "There is a lot of joy with every kid and every kid has as a different path," Fehringer said. "For Marty, it was a lot of trust, faith and commitment from the beginning. To see a kid that wanted to be wanted and loved and valuable; to see him grow at Western Nebraska makes you smile. I know the teammates around him care about him as well. He has brought a lot of joy to Western Nebraska across the board."