Fatboy
12-02-2007, 04:54 PM
http://www.kentucky.com/284/story/247178.html
Committed to Bulldogs, sort of
HOPSON DELAYS SIGNING UNTIL SPRING, AND HE'LL HEAR OTHER OFFERS
By Jerry Tipton
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
UHA's Scotty Hopson, left, hasn't ruled out Kentucky entirely, but he said his commitment to Mississippi State is "firm enough" for now. Photo by Tim Webb | Associated Press
TIM WEBB
UHA's Scotty Hopson, left, hasn't ruled out Kentucky entirely, but he said his commitment to Mississippi State is "firm enough" for now. Photo by Tim Webb | Associated Press
A 32-point performance at Tates Creek on Friday night clearly showed why Scotty Hopson of University Heights is considered one of the nation's better prospects. But his college choice remains obscured.
"I'm still committed to Mississippi State," he said after the game.
When asked how firm that commitment is given that he did not sign with the Bulldogs during the weeklong November period, Hopson said, "It's firm. It's firm enough."
Yet Hopson also said he will entertain recruiting pitches from other schools.
Yes, Kentucky has made its interest known. When asked about UK, Hopson said the Cats were "maybe in the mix. I can't say right now."
He's concentrating on his senior season.
The player's mother, Jeannette Hopson, and his coach, Randy McCoy, suggested that Mississippi State remains the school to beat.
"I still think there's a chance he'll go to Mississippi State," McCoy said. "I think there's a big chance he'll go to Mississippi State."
The decision to delay a decision until the spring signing period (mid-April to mid-May) was to make certain of the choice.
"We like Mississippi State," Jeannette Hopson said. "There's nothing wrong with Mississippi State. We just want to make sure."
There's been much talk in recruiting circles about schools wooing Hopson with their plans of preparing him for the NBA. Supposedly, Mississippi State has told him of its two-year plan to get him into the NBA.
Hopson's mother nodded in the affirmative when asked about that.
Then UK supposedly countered by saying it had a one-year plan. No one confirmed or denied that.
"They say they'd like to have him on the team," Jeannette Hopson said. "That's basically it."
McCoy, who formerly worked as an assistant at Pikeville College and Morehead State, is no novice when it comes to recruiting pitches. He had a funny take on the various plans.
"I have a four-month plan," the University Heights coach said in reference to this season. "I can't worry about their two-year plans or one-year plans.
"I told Scotty, wherever you go -- if you're ready to go to the next level -- if it's one year, great. If it's two years, great. If it's three years, great. My point is I just don't want you to try it too early. A lot of great players have tried, and I can't tell you where they're at. They're playing in Algeria or Albania or Croatia."
Of course, Kentucky has several players on the roster or already committed who are of similar size and position going into next season: Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper, Alex Legion and DeAndre Liggins, to name four. Hopson dismissed that as a factor.
"Wherever I go, I'm pretty sure I won't have to play behind anybody," he said.
Committed to Bulldogs, sort of
HOPSON DELAYS SIGNING UNTIL SPRING, AND HE'LL HEAR OTHER OFFERS
By Jerry Tipton
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
UHA's Scotty Hopson, left, hasn't ruled out Kentucky entirely, but he said his commitment to Mississippi State is "firm enough" for now. Photo by Tim Webb | Associated Press
TIM WEBB
UHA's Scotty Hopson, left, hasn't ruled out Kentucky entirely, but he said his commitment to Mississippi State is "firm enough" for now. Photo by Tim Webb | Associated Press
A 32-point performance at Tates Creek on Friday night clearly showed why Scotty Hopson of University Heights is considered one of the nation's better prospects. But his college choice remains obscured.
"I'm still committed to Mississippi State," he said after the game.
When asked how firm that commitment is given that he did not sign with the Bulldogs during the weeklong November period, Hopson said, "It's firm. It's firm enough."
Yet Hopson also said he will entertain recruiting pitches from other schools.
Yes, Kentucky has made its interest known. When asked about UK, Hopson said the Cats were "maybe in the mix. I can't say right now."
He's concentrating on his senior season.
The player's mother, Jeannette Hopson, and his coach, Randy McCoy, suggested that Mississippi State remains the school to beat.
"I still think there's a chance he'll go to Mississippi State," McCoy said. "I think there's a big chance he'll go to Mississippi State."
The decision to delay a decision until the spring signing period (mid-April to mid-May) was to make certain of the choice.
"We like Mississippi State," Jeannette Hopson said. "There's nothing wrong with Mississippi State. We just want to make sure."
There's been much talk in recruiting circles about schools wooing Hopson with their plans of preparing him for the NBA. Supposedly, Mississippi State has told him of its two-year plan to get him into the NBA.
Hopson's mother nodded in the affirmative when asked about that.
Then UK supposedly countered by saying it had a one-year plan. No one confirmed or denied that.
"They say they'd like to have him on the team," Jeannette Hopson said. "That's basically it."
McCoy, who formerly worked as an assistant at Pikeville College and Morehead State, is no novice when it comes to recruiting pitches. He had a funny take on the various plans.
"I have a four-month plan," the University Heights coach said in reference to this season. "I can't worry about their two-year plans or one-year plans.
"I told Scotty, wherever you go -- if you're ready to go to the next level -- if it's one year, great. If it's two years, great. If it's three years, great. My point is I just don't want you to try it too early. A lot of great players have tried, and I can't tell you where they're at. They're playing in Algeria or Albania or Croatia."
Of course, Kentucky has several players on the roster or already committed who are of similar size and position going into next season: Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper, Alex Legion and DeAndre Liggins, to name four. Hopson dismissed that as a factor.
"Wherever I go, I'm pretty sure I won't have to play behind anybody," he said.