Player Spotlight: Justin Hopkins
Justin Hopkins of JO Johnson/Alabama Challenge
1. What is your GPA?
3.47
2. What is your ACT score?
17
3. What would you like to pursue a degree in?
Mechanical Engineering
4. Tell us what schools have offered you.
Middle Tennessee St., Murray St., Samford and Tennessee Tech
5. Tell us what schools have been or starting to show interest.
Mercer, Arkansas Little-Rock, Toledo & Jacksonville University
6. You released a Top 5 a few weeks ago of Samford, Mercer, Middle Tennessee St., Northern Kentucky & Arkansas Little Rock, tell us a little bit about what stands out to you about these schools.
Samford: Family feel, that comfort you would need to have a smooth transition to the next level.
Mercer: They have made a few tournament runs and are looking to take the program even further.
Middle Tennessee State: MTSU was my first offer, they have so much belief in my talents and believe I could really be something special.
Northern Kentucky: Northern Kentucky has been coming hard often, really looking for talents to take their program off.
Arkansas Little Rock: Coach Flanigan and I have really been close, he has had a scenery change since leaving MSU. He believes with the right talent, their program could be something special.
7. Tell us what you feel are your strengths.
Strength.
Having that feel for the game.
Exposing smaller guards.
Using my quickness to take bigger guards off the dribble.
Quick first step.
Leadership ability on and off the court.
Handling pressure.
8. Tell us what part(s) of your game do you need to improve.
Jumpshot.
Ball handling.
9. After winning a state championship last year, I know your goal is to try & repeat. What will it take for your team to be able to capture the title again?
We need to keep everyone's mind right, focus in the on the court as well as doing the same in the classroom. With us only losing 4 seniors and gaining a few key talents we look to come back even stronger this upcoming season.
10. You recently shattered a backboard in a local AAU tournament back in May. Describe the feeling. What was going through your head when it happen? How did the gym react?
I would have never thought I would be able to break a backboard, I felt like a baby Shaquille. Everyone in the gym kind of jumped up. That just shows what being in the weight room could do for your game, lots of players like to skip out on the weight room.
11. What events will your team attend in July??
July 9-11 Best of the South Suwanee,GA
July 23-26 Hardwood Classic Kansas City,Missouri
12. Who would you say you try to model your game after?
Bradley Beal
13. Who is your favorite NBA player?
John Wall
14. What is your favorite food?
Salad
15. What is your favorite tv show?
Sportscenter
16. What is your favorite movie?
Friday
17. What is your favorite subject?
Math
18. What do you think the importance is of playing AAU/Travel Ball?
I think exposure and just growing as a player and a person is very important during AAU/Travel ball.
19. What is the biggest difference from playing AAU compared to High School ball?
The biggest difference to me is the competition level, all the players from every area team up and compete.
20. What will you miss most about playing AAU/Travel Ball?
I will miss getting to travel everywhere and just having fun competing against players like myself from everywhere.
21. Who is the best person you have played against in your career in AAU?
I would have to say Jason Tatum.
22. Who is the best person you have played against in High School?
I would have to say Josh Langford.
3.47
2. What is your ACT score?
17
3. What would you like to pursue a degree in?
Mechanical Engineering
4. Tell us what schools have offered you.
Middle Tennessee St., Murray St., Samford and Tennessee Tech
5. Tell us what schools have been or starting to show interest.
Mercer, Arkansas Little-Rock, Toledo & Jacksonville University
6. You released a Top 5 a few weeks ago of Samford, Mercer, Middle Tennessee St., Northern Kentucky & Arkansas Little Rock, tell us a little bit about what stands out to you about these schools.
Samford: Family feel, that comfort you would need to have a smooth transition to the next level.
Mercer: They have made a few tournament runs and are looking to take the program even further.
Middle Tennessee State: MTSU was my first offer, they have so much belief in my talents and believe I could really be something special.
Northern Kentucky: Northern Kentucky has been coming hard often, really looking for talents to take their program off.
Arkansas Little Rock: Coach Flanigan and I have really been close, he has had a scenery change since leaving MSU. He believes with the right talent, their program could be something special.
7. Tell us what you feel are your strengths.
Strength.
Having that feel for the game.
Exposing smaller guards.
Using my quickness to take bigger guards off the dribble.
Quick first step.
Leadership ability on and off the court.
Handling pressure.
8. Tell us what part(s) of your game do you need to improve.
Jumpshot.
Ball handling.
9. After winning a state championship last year, I know your goal is to try & repeat. What will it take for your team to be able to capture the title again?
We need to keep everyone's mind right, focus in the on the court as well as doing the same in the classroom. With us only losing 4 seniors and gaining a few key talents we look to come back even stronger this upcoming season.
10. You recently shattered a backboard in a local AAU tournament back in May. Describe the feeling. What was going through your head when it happen? How did the gym react?
I would have never thought I would be able to break a backboard, I felt like a baby Shaquille. Everyone in the gym kind of jumped up. That just shows what being in the weight room could do for your game, lots of players like to skip out on the weight room.
11. What events will your team attend in July??
July 9-11 Best of the South Suwanee,GA
July 23-26 Hardwood Classic Kansas City,Missouri
12. Who would you say you try to model your game after?
Bradley Beal
13. Who is your favorite NBA player?
John Wall
14. What is your favorite food?
Salad
15. What is your favorite tv show?
Sportscenter
16. What is your favorite movie?
Friday
17. What is your favorite subject?
Math
18. What do you think the importance is of playing AAU/Travel Ball?
I think exposure and just growing as a player and a person is very important during AAU/Travel ball.
19. What is the biggest difference from playing AAU compared to High School ball?
The biggest difference to me is the competition level, all the players from every area team up and compete.
20. What will you miss most about playing AAU/Travel Ball?
I will miss getting to travel everywhere and just having fun competing against players like myself from everywhere.
21. Who is the best person you have played against in your career in AAU?
I would have to say Jason Tatum.
22. Who is the best person you have played against in High School?
I would have to say Josh Langford.