EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Brian Barone has continued to add to his roster for the 2026-27, announcing the addition of Northern Illinois transfer Gianni Cobb (Chicago).
"Gianni brings two years of college experience along with the toughness and edge we value at SIUE," Barone said. "He won a state championship in high school and has already produced in college. He understands the demands at this level, and he's proven he can compete."
Cobb, a 6-foot, 160-pound guard, appeared in 30 games for the Huskies, while making 19 starts during the 2025-26 season. He led the team and ranked 11th in the Mid-American Conference at 3.9 assists per game. He was third on the team in scoring at 9.8 per game. In MAC games he was second on the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game.
Cobb scored a career-high 23 points at Buffalo and twice matched his career high with 10 assists in a game.
"I'm a versatile player who takes pride in doing whatever it takes to help my team win; whether that's scoring, defending, or bringing energy every day," Cobb said. "I feel like my game is built on consistency, toughness, and being coachable. I chose to come to SIUE because of the culture, the coaching staff, and the vision they have for the program. It felt like the right place for me to grow as a player and as a person. I'm ready to contribute and be part of something special."
Prior to Northern Illinois, Cobb appeared in 23 games at Columbia making one start. He averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 assists per game.
Cobb attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School where he helped the Vikings to the 2023-24 Illinois Class 4A State Championship. He averaged 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a senior, when he was honored as the Southwest Suburban Blue Player of the Year. He also was an Illinois AP and IBCA 4A All-State first team selection.
"What stands out is his mindset to get better every day," Barone added. "He fits right into our 'find a way' culture. He has a knack for scoring, while also being able to create for his teammates. One of his most impressive assets is his ability and willingness to defend. He's a competitor, and we're excited to welcome him into our 'Find A Way Family.'"
The Cougars have enjoyed four consecutive winning seasons, including an Ohio Valley Conference Championship in 2025. At 19-13 it is also the third time in four seasons that SIUE has won at least 19 games. SIUE returns seven players from the 2025-26 season.
