JerShon Cobb has been through a lot at Northwestern.

The 6-foot-5-inch senior guard from Decatur, Georgia, arrived at NU in fall 2010. Since then, he’s played in 73 games, logging almost 2,000 minutes.

There have been bumps along the road. Sometimes even potholes.

Cobb has gotten hurt every year he’s played at NU. Due to injuries, he missed seven games as a freshman and 12 as sophomore.

Then there was the 2012-13 season, which Cobb missed entirely due to suspension for violation of team policy.

“I had to grow up a lot,” Cobb said. “When I had to sit on the bench and watch my team lose and they needed me, that hurt.”

But Cobb did return, playing a key role for the Wildcats last winter. That is, until he got hurt again. Cobb sustained a foot injury in late February that sent him back to the sideline. After the year, he had surgery to repair a meniscus injury he had played through.

Cobb spent the offseason getting healthy. He says he is getting back to where he wants to be.

“This offseason I really keyed in on weight training and my diet,” Cobb said. “I think those two things will help me finish this year.”

When Cobb is healthy, he’s an outstanding player. He can score from the outside (35 percent three point shooter last year), battle for rebounds (4.8 rebounds per game last year) and play both the one and the two.

“Growing up I was a natural two,” said Cobb. “Last year I grew into the point guard position. I liked it. I think playing point last year is going to help me this year.”

Playing point guard showed the soft-spoken guard’s ability to lead. As a senior, Cobb’s leadership role is now unquestionable.

“I had to get out of my shell a little bit, talk more,” Cobb said. “I like to show the guys by example, also. I feel like guys can look up to me because I’ve been through a lot.”

Freshman guard Johnnie Vassar says Cobb is a positive influence on the team’s many young players.

“I look at him as like the old man on the team,” Vassar said.“I mean, he’s great. He helps all of the freshmen, including myself.”

Coach Chris Collins hopes Cobb’s rehab will also serve as a form of leadership by example.

“One of the ways I wanted JerShon to lead more than anything is by his ability to work to get back healthy,” Collins said. “You know, for those guys to see what he’s had to do with his rehab, and it’s still a progression. He’s been practicing. He’s injury free, but he’s still working some rust off.”

Now a captain, Cobb has seen injuries, suspensions, big wins — he says the win at Wisconsin last year sticks out for him — and long, losing seasons.

For all Cobb has been through at NU, there’s still something he hasn’t experienced. Cobb has yet to feel what it’s like to play in his sport’s crown jewel: the NCAA Tournament.

But there is still time left for Cobb to check a trip to The Dance off his basketball bucket list.

“I want to do well and lead the team, but I want to win,” Cobb said. “I want to get to the NCAA Tournament.”

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