Hopson officially decommits

[ukbob]

I imagine the statement from Gillispie had an impact.

Things will get interesting very soon, IMO.

http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/15525322.html

[matt colvin]

:icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen:

Thanks for posting this Bob. Whooo!!!!!

[Terry L. Wildcat]

I imagine the statement from Gillispie had an impact.

Things will get interesting very soon, IMO.

http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/15525322.html

Thanks Bob...do you think UK should try to sign him?

[ukbob]

Thanks Bob...do you think UK should try to sign him?


If BG think he can coach him....absolutely. BG says he wants talent and this kid is just that. He doesn't fill a need for a PG or big man, but you don't turnaway 5 star talent in your state when the opportunity arises.

[Tom Blevins]

If BG think he can coach him....absolutely. BG says he wants talent and this kid is just that. He doesn't fill a need for a PG or big man, but you don't turnaway 5 star talent in your state when the opportunity arises.

I agree, Bob. Hopson is just to good not to go after. Beam that LOI to Lexington, Scotty.

[wildcat rico]

The timing of this is very interesting. Coach G says he doesn't recruit committed players, then Hopson officially decommits. To me, this is a sure sign that Hopson is extremely interested in UK. Why would he go this long without decommiting, and then all of a sudden make it official? Like I said, the timing is interesting.

[needmore44]

This kid is trying to say that he wants to be a Kentucky Wildcat for Coach G. Commits to Miss St.
Kentucky gets Coach G.
Hopson doesn't sign early.
Gillespie see's him play at the "all A" but says he doesn't recruit commited players.
Within a week, Scotty and his coach come out and tell the media his recruitment is open.

Then...

Hopson signs with the cats
By Gillespie's side, leads the cats back to glory

[freethrow]

I agree that the timing is interesting. I hope that Coach G is all over him. From the way he has talked in other interviews it seemed that UK had shown little interest in him and he was put off by that.

Mr. Hopson, come on aboard !!!!!!!

[blue35]

Question now is, does Coach G send him a offer?

[dougwhit]

go get him, period

[lighthouse]

If BG think he can coach him....absolutely. BG says he wants talent and this kid is just that. He doesn't fill a need for a PG or big man, but you don't turnaway 5 star talent in your state when the opportunity arises.

That's the big question that only BG can answer. He definitely has the talent.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Where is Hopson ranked nationally? Thanks to those who answer.

[blue35]

Where is Hopson ranked nationally? Thanks to those who answer.


According to Scouts #11

SF #11 Scotty Hopson

(University Heights Academy)
Hopkinsville, KY 6-5/180 -

Mississippi State, Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee, Clemson, Ohio State, Florida

[jkeller]

It is interesting that he de-commits mere days after Gillispie says he doesn't recruit committed players. Very interesting indeed.......:icon_twisted:

[WildcatDan]

Know what else is interesting? WKYT has a radio show called Wildcat Nation... :icon_mrgreen:

[dwarfdorin]

This is definitely very interesting indeed. I have to believe that Scotty Hopson is trying to send a message by this. It can't be that big a coincidence that he makes this decision just a couple days after BCG makes that statement. I think this shows that maybe his attitude has possibly changed some too for the better. If BCG thinks he can coach him and that he has changed his attitude then you have to take him. Like was said earlier here you can't pass up that kind of in state talent if it is there to be taken.

Go CATS!!!

[The Black Watch]

I think if he wants to come to UK, BCG should take a chance on him. He would almost have to. A local kid with his kind of ability, he's got to see if he can make it work. And let's give Scotty some credit. I think he's a better kid than he's been labeled. Have relatives in that area that swear he's a good kid with a bad rap. If BCG DOESN'T recruit him now, he would never hear the end of it. In my book, whatever BCG wants to do is fine by me. He doesn't even need the endorsement.

[The Black Watch]

Just heard some of an interview with Hopson and his coach, McCoy, on WKYT. Seems that UK has had contact with McCoy, but not Hopson. Said his recruitment is officially open, and is wide open. Sounded like Hopson and McCoy were officially telling BCG to come offer. Sounds like have been waiting on it. That's just what I took from it.

[reggis]

I agree, Bob. Hopson is just to good not to go after. Beam that LOI to Lexington, Scotty.

I agree BCG has got to go after Hopson very hard.

[7lives]

I did not see anywhere where he specifically said he decommitted from MSU.

He said his recruitment is wide open.

Does wide open = A decomit???????

A lot of people are interpreting it as such.

Does BCG see it that way? That is the big question.

[Gunsmoke]

I watched the Lexington Fox sports last night and they talked to Hopson and his coach. McCoy said UK coaches have been in contact with him but not Scotty. Scotty said he has de-committed but that Miss. State remains as one of his top schools. McCoy stated he sees UK getting much more involved now and Scotty seemed to welcome this.

[UKBOO]

http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/15525322.html

Coach has been quoted in the last day or so as to why he has not recruited Hopson. In no uncertain terms, he does not contact committed players. While Hopson has flirted with other suiters, he was still officially remained committed to Miss St.

That has now changed and I think the timing MUST suggest it was in response to coach's comments. That tells me he IS interested in UK.

So to clarify:
Fact: Coach says he WILL NOT CONTACT committed players
Fact: Hopson then officially reopens his recruitment

My Opinion: This must mean he would like UK to contact him.

[ProfJT]

Sounds like a real possibility. I heard coach's remarks, and he is very clear that he will never contact a player who has committed to another school. I agree, the timing of this announcement is indeed interesting.

[LiveBlue]

I may be judging this kid too harshly, but this seems like a very risky move to bring this guy in. I agree that you recruit talent, but this kid seems like he needs an attitude adjustment and I can just invision an Alex Legion situation all over again. But, I trust Coach, so whatever he does is fine by me.

[Tom Blevins]

I may be judging this kid too harshly, but this seems like a very risky move to bring this guy in. I agree that you recruit talent, but this kid seems like he needs an attitude adjustment and I can just invision an Alex Legion situation all over again. But, I trust Coach, so whatever he does is fine by me.

It probably is something of a risk. But in a way, it's a risk to sign any player. We're only allowed to have 13 players on scholarship so the coach can't be wrong too many times. i don't think Alex Legion would have been that bad a fit for us, IF his mother had not been so controling. He obviously did not realize how far he had to go to play defense at this level, and he didn't realize how hard he would have to work in order to play for Coach Gillispie, but if he had just given himself his entire freshman year to make those adjustments, I think he would have been ok. His mother, with the best of intentions, made sure he didn't take that time. But enough about Legion. My point is, no two players are exactly the same, and their situations are never going to be exactly the same. Your last sentence sums up my feelings about Scotty Hopson's recruitment perfectly.

[UKBOO]

I think Coach can handle these kids. If you don't earn it, you don't get it. I think that would apply across the board. Nothing gets a kids attention like PT or lack there of...

[Lon25]

Hopson appears to be a top talent. Kentucky cannot afford to let him pass by. We do not need another Lofton to haunt us. And Lofton wasn't rated nearly as high.

[Ukosumu]

Any chance you have to recruit local talent that will help your team, you need to do it. Many a coach has hit hard times by not winning the local recruiting war.

[RP_McMurphy]

He sent a direct message that he knew Hopson would hear. There is no doubting Hopson's talent. The doubts are how well he would mesh into a team enviroment. I like his talent but do not want another Legion saga. I trust the coach who will not let himself or the program get played by overbearing parents.

[UKBOO]

I see Legion coming up quite a bit and rightfully so. Its my feeling that if coach had been able to recruit Legion for a normal length of time, things would have been different.

So my point is, if UK wants in the race, then get in it now. If not, move on. I figured they had, but the statement by coach has me leaning the other way now.

[UK Lola]

There is a very different point of view about this over on Matt's site.

[Hurricanefballfan]

I may be judging this kid too harshly, but this seems like a very risky move to bring this guy in. I agree that you recruit talent, but this kid seems like he needs an attitude adjustment and I can just invision an Alex Legion situation all over again. But, I trust Coach, so whatever he does is fine by me.

i agree to a point.. the thing is, hopson is best suited for a lossely structured system similar to the type he is running in high school and not really the type of system billy g is running.. As UK fan i want him to come to UK, but as a college basketball fan, his game is better suited for Pearl's system just imo and a little fact... there is no doubt that randy mccoy set up this interview, since he and dave baker go way back.. so scotty is interested in UK.

[UKBOO]

There is a very different point of view about this over on Matt's site.

And Matt is welcome to his. Hopson did not say he was de-committing. He didn't say much of anything and assumed everyone knew he de-committed when he didn't sign in November. The statements by him say as much.

Matt sometimes reports without checking his sources. That means his opinion is usually no better or worse than anyone elses here when he doesn't have a source.

[jdwade]

Very simple. This is a kid that we just can't let get away. This is similar to Lofton, except that Lofton was only a 3 star recruit. And now look what he's turned into. I know every kid is different, but with Hopson's talent, which is far better than Lofton's when he was being recruited, just thing of what he will grow to be in college. Chances are he for sure won't be here 'till he's a senior, but he could come in and help us right away. And at least be a Cat 'till we get our 2010 class in which is expected to be a huge class for us. In his interview he said playing time would be a factor. No doubt in my mind that he'll get the p.t. What top 10 recruit do you know right now that doesn't get a lot of p.t.? Not to mention he could be another scorer that we're looking for. There's no way we can let U.T. get him.

[JWORLD]

This is some great news and i hope and pray we can add Hopson along with Miller and Liggins. Add another quality big man even if it's at the expense of one of our current scholarship playersand we could immediately get back to the top of the mountain with Patterson,Meeks,Jasper, and our current role players.

[jdwade]

No doubt. Just look at how good this would sound. Hopson, Liggins and Miller committ to UK. We would be a top recruiting class. And from what I heard, Hopson and Miller are friends who talk quite often. Bring him in Miller!

[UKBOO]

I am a little torn on this. On one hand, UK has several real needs and UK already has players that can fill a role Hopson can fill. On another, with Legion leaving, it does open things up a little, and on yet a third that I do not have, you simply can not pass on a player of his talent, and on the forth that I do not have, you can't let him go to an arch rival.

Can I barrow some hands???

[crazzedcats22]

Question now is, does Coach G send him a offer?

Hell yes, this kid is a stud. I don't care is he's not a PG or a C, he is a 5 star KY kid, #11 (rankings are stupid but still) overall talent.

[crazzedcats22]

I am a little torn on this. On one hand, UK has several real needs and UK already has players that can fill a role Hopson can fill. On another, with Legion leaving, it does open things up a little, and on yet a third that I do not have, you simply can not pass on a player of his talent, and on the forth that I do not have, you can't let him go to an arch rival.

Can I barrow some hands???

The way I see it is that he fills a scoring need, IMO, we desperately need. 2nd, as you said Legion was supposed to be here so Hopson simply takes his spot. 3rd (you can borrow one of my hands) you're exaclty right, you don't pass on a kid like this. 4th (take the other one too) you CANNOT let him go to a rival, hello Chris Lofton, except maybe better!!!

[Gunsmoke]

Nobody truly knows what is in this young man's head and heart. Therefore all of this specualtion is just that.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

According to sources close to University Heights Academy basketball star Scotty Hopson, the Blazers’ forward planned to make an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee today.





However, Hopson and his mother, Jeanette, decided this morning not to attend the Tennessee men’s basketball game against Arkansas tonight in Knoxville because of the weather.

Rated the No. 9 senior prospect in the country, according to Rivals.com, the 6-foot-7 Hopson originally committed to Mississippi State during his junior season. Hopson and his family have since re-opened his recruitment to include the Volunteers, Cincinnati, Texas, Louisville, Kansas and Clemson.


http://kentuckynewera.com/articles/2008/02/13/sports/free/doc47b3319f74954165559873.txt

[Matt Dillon]

Evidently, he's still commited to Miss. St. He's just talking to other schools to see if State is really the place for him.

http://kentuckynewera.com/articles/2008/02/13/sports/free/doc47b3319f74954165559873.txt

[matt colvin]

That said his quote was from December. Rivals doesn't have him committed, and Scout mentions he had committed.

We'll find out soon I suppose. Although he didn't say "I'm no longer committed to MSU", he said his recruitment was now re-opened. The only thing is whether or not that satisfies Coach. That's why Hopson made the statement though, as his other choices have apparently not worried about the verbal as much as we have.

[ukwebfan]

I don't see anything wrong with a kid lobbying for Legion's vacated spot on the team he probably grew up loving. It is indeed interesting that we have an open spot for a similar talent and coach cast in his line then got a bite. It's not quite the USC recruitment by Mayo and also seems to be NCAA legal. A win win imho.

[ImForKy]

I don't think Hopson is, or has ever been interested in UK. At least, I haven't heard or read any statements from him to that effect. I have seen him quoted as saying "if UK wants to recruit me, they know where I am". Well, that gate swings both ways. If he wants to play for UK, he knows where it is and where coach G is. Seems to me like he wants someone to beg him. I, for one, don't want UK to beg him, or any other player for that matter. JMO

[bluebayou]

I trust BCG. He will recruit Hopson if he really wants him and Hopson meets his standards. I remember years back when we roasted Pitino for not recruiting Andy Pennick out of Pleasure Ridge I believe it was. Pennick went on to Mich. State and we all saw why Pitino didn't recruit him. Trust BCG. He knows what is best.

[billoliver40]

I don't see anything wrong with a kid lobbying for Legion's vacated spot on the team he probably grew up loving. It is indeed interesting that we have an open spot for a similar talent and coach cast in his line then got a bite. It's not quite the USC recruitment by Mayo and also seems to be NCAA legal. A win win imho.

Word I hear in the smoker's lounge in Hopkinsville is the team Scotty grew
up loving was North Carolina.
I'm just afraid that he might be exactly the same slot as Alex Legion...with
the exact same results.

Scotty is trying to hold all the cards he can. Billy G wants to be calling the shots in his own way. People I feel sorry for are at Mississippi State...
they already thought they had this positon covered, now find out no, well yeah, sure....ooops, I mean no....yeah, I'm still going to State....well, Maybe Tennessee....Im still committed, but I'm looking around.

Gee...I'm still committed but I'm looking around....try that one on your
spouse or partner one time and see what it gets you.

[matt colvin]

Well, Maggard is reporting that Gillispie has in fact called the Hopson family. So, if true, Scotty's comments earlier were what Coach wanted to hear.

Come on Coach, bring Scotty in too :thumbup:

[swimuk1]

Word I hear in the smoker's lounge in Hopkinsville is the team Scotty grew
up loving was North Carolina.
I'm just afraid that he might be exactly the same slot as Alex Legion...with
the exact same results.

Scotty is trying to hold all the cards he can. Billy G wants to be calling the shots in his own way. People I feel sorry for are at Mississippi State...
they already thought they had this positon covered, now find out no, well yeah, sure....ooops, I mean no....yeah, I'm still going to State....well, Maybe Tennessee....Im still committed, but I'm looking around.

Gee...I'm still committed but I'm looking around....try that one on your
spouse or partner one time and see what it gets you.


Not sure I want I kid that truly in his heart did not want to play for UK...Im thinking BG feels the same. Just my opinion but this guy likes the media a little too much and a Alex Legion comparison is right on.

[catszoom54]

This kid is trying to say that he wants to be a Kentucky Wildcat for Coach G. Commits to Miss St.
Kentucky gets Coach G.
Hopson doesn't sign early.
Gillespie see's him play at the "all A" but says he doesn't recruit commited players.
Within a week, Scotty and his coach come out and tell the media his recruitment is open.

Then...

Hopson signs with the cats
By Gillespie's side, leads the cats back to glory

Sounds good to me...

[matt colvin]

Well, Maggard is reporting that Gillispie has in fact called the Hopson family. So, if true, Scotty's comments earlier were what Coach wanted to hear.

Come on Coach, bring Scotty in too :thumbup:

This should be interesting. A newspaper has put out a quote saying Coach hasn't contacted the Hopsons. It seems kentuckyink is sticking to their information, suggesting the call happened after the quote was taken.


My thoughts: :shrug1:. I'm just so enthusiastic about Gillispie, and I want him to get any recruit he wants in order to bring us back. Hopson certainly seems to meet that requirement, and if Coach wants him, then I certainly do too.

I guess I pay too much attention to this stuff sometimes.

[ImForKy]

This should be interesting. A newspaper has put out a quote saying Coach hasn't contacted the Hopsons. It seems kentuckyink is sticking to their information, suggesting the call happened after the quote was taken.


My thoughts: :shrug1:. I'm just so enthusiastic about Gillispie, and I want him to get any recruit he wants in order to bring us back. Hopson certainly seems to meet that requirement, and if Coach wants him, then I certainly do too.

I guess I pay too much attention to this stuff sometimes.

That makes two of us Matt. :icon_redface:

[lighthouse]

Nobody truly knows what is in this young man's head and heart. Therefore all of this specualtion is just that.

I've seen him play 4 times and he has demonstrated to me that he has a problem in the first one and not much of other. But he does have exceptional talent.

[UKinGrapevine]

I did not see anywhere where he specifically said he decommitted from MSU.

He said his recruitment is wide open.

Does wide open = A decomit???????

A lot of people are interpreting it as such.

Does BCG see it that way? That is the big question.

I agree with 7lives. I never heard an "official" decommit here. And it wasn't like a press conference was held for that. This just came up in a regular interview. Hopson probably doesn't even know what he said.

Maybe I missed something :shrug1:

Hope I did anyway!

[UKBOO]

The story now seems to be adjusted to UK assistants contacting mom, but not coach. I have a Friend in Hoptown that was a huge Hopson fan and knows the family. He has seen many of the "goings on" first hand and has come to despise the "situation", and simply wants Scottie to go elsewhere. I've tried to explain to him that ALL these kids have people in their ears. He gets on look at it and Coach sees it every day. It hasn't changed his mind.

People talk about KY kids. Not all "UK" kids were born in KY, and not all the kids born in KY are "UK" kids...

Hopson is a real talent. I think he could be converted to a "UK" kid...