Today, he is one of the most exciting talents in the NBL.

Signed to the South Dragons as a tenth man in 2006, Hobba soon showed this city he was capable of so much more.

His rise to the top of the team’s ranks last season was one of the highlights of the Dragons’ debut. But for Hobba, this was just the beginning.

The Dragons’ Most Improved Player for season 2006-’07 continues his world-beating streak on court with the Dandenong Rangers, who at 6-0 for the season are red-hot prospects to take out the Big V title.

Hobba and the rampaging Rangers scored back-to-back victories at the weekend, downing Diamond Valley by 20 points on Saturday night then thrashing Melbourne by 47 points the next day.

Also on the winner’s list after the weekend is Matt Shanahan, whose Ballarat Miners scored their first win for the SEABL season with a 20-point victory over Hobart.

The Miners held just a one-point lead at the major break but came out firing in the second half to score an upset win over their southern foes.

Across the Tasman South Dragons’ recruit Nick Horvath lined up for the Wellington Saints in the New Zealand NBL, notching 10 points, nine boards, two assists in the Saints’ Round 6 loss.

Fellow South Dragons newcomer Luke Martin will return to court on Friday when his Waikato Pistons kickstart New Zealand’s weekend action.